Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
मनुष्या यदि विप्राग्थ्र न परार्थास्तदा मृताः । परकार्यं न ये मर्त्याः कायेनापि धनेन वा ॥ २६ ॥
manuṣyā yadi viprāgthra na parārthāstadā mṛtāḥ | parakāryaṃ na ye martyāḥ kāyenāpi dhanena vā || 26 ||
Ó melhor dos brāhmaṇas, se os seres humanos não vivem para o bem dos outros, então são como mortos. Os mortais que não servem a causa alheia—com o esforço do corpo ou com a riqueza—na verdade não vivem.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It defines meaningful life as paropakāra—actively supporting others’ welfare—teaching that a self-centered life is spiritually equivalent to lifelessness.
Bhakti is not only worship but also compassionate action; serving beings through effort or charity is treated as a lived expression of devotion and dharmic conduct.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; it emphasizes applied dharma—service (kāya-sevā) and giving (dāna) as practical disciplines.