Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
असिजीवी मषीजीवी देवलो ग्रामयाजकः । धावको वा भवेत्तेषां दत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ १० ॥
asijīvī maṣījīvī devalo grāmayājakaḥ | dhāvako vā bhavetteṣāṃ dattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 10 ||
வாளால் வாழ்பவன், எழுத்துப் பணியால் வாழ்பவன், தேவாலயப் பூசாரி (தேவலன்), ஊருக்காக யாகம் செய்பவன், அல்லது ஓட்டுநர்/தூதன்—இவர்களுக்கு அளிக்கும் தானம் பயனற்றதாகிறது।
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that the merit of dāna depends not only on the act of giving but also on the worthiness and mode of livelihood of the recipient; gifts given to certain professionalized or ethically compromised livelihoods are declared spiritually fruitless.
Bhakti is supported by purity of intention and right conduct; this verse guides devotees to offer gifts in a discerning way so that offerings made in devotion produce genuine spiritual merit rather than becoming ineffective.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style ritual ethics (connected with Kalpa—rules of rites and conduct): proper eligibility of recipients is treated as a technical requirement for the successful fruit of religious acts like dāna.