Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
एकाहमपि यत्कुर्याद्भूमिस्थमुदकं नरः । स मुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः शतवर्षं वसेद्दिवि ॥ ५६ ॥
ekāhamapi yatkuryādbhūmisthamudakaṃ naraḥ | sa muktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ śatavarṣaṃ vaseddivi || 56 ||
ஒரு மனிதன் ஒரே நாளாவது நிலத்தில் நீரை நிறுவி (உதகதானம்/அர்க்கியம்) அர்ப்பணித்தால், அவன் எல்லாப் பாவங்களிலிருந்து விடுபட்டு நூறு ஆண்டுகள் சொர்க்கத்தில் வாழ்வான்।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It emphasizes that even a very simple, accessible act—offering water in a prescribed sacred manner—can function as a powerful prayāścitta (expiation), leading to purification from pāpa and the accrual of puṇya.
While the verse is framed as karma/ritual merit, it supports bhakti culture by highlighting sincerity in small offerings; such acts are traditionally performed with remembrance of the deity and reverence, aligning action with devotional intent.
It points to kalpa/prayoga (procedural ritual knowledge)—how offerings like udaka are to be placed/offered—rather than grammar or astrology, stressing correct performance of a simple rite.