Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
अपात्रेष्वेव दानानि प्रयच्छंति नराधमाः । दुग्धलोभनिमित्तेन गोषु प्रीतिं च कुर्वते ॥ ४६ ॥
apātreṣveva dānāni prayacchaṃti narādhamāḥ | dugdhalobhanimittena goṣu prītiṃ ca kurvate || 46 ||
Самые низкие из людей подают дары лишь недостойным; и проявляют ласку к коровам только из жадности к молоку.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on dana-dharma and purity of motive)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It condemns hypocrisy in dharma: charity must be directed to a worthy recipient (pātra) and compassion must be genuine, not driven by personal gain.
Bhakti demands inner purity (śuddha-bhāva). Acts that look religious—giving or caring for sacred beings—lose spiritual merit when motivated by greed rather than reverence and selflessness.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught; the practical takeaway is dharma-nīti: examine eligibility (pātratā) and intention (bhāva) before performing dāna as part of ritual life.