Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
मृदैव कुरुते यस्तु देवतायतनं नरः । यावत्पुण्यं भवेत्तस्य तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥ ५ ॥
mṛdaiva kurute yastu devatāyatanaṃ naraḥ | yāvatpuṇyaṃ bhavettasya tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu || 5 ||
மண்ணினாலேயே தேவதையின் ஆலயம் அமைக்கும் மனிதனுக்குக் கிடைக்கும் புண்ணியம் எவ்வளவோ, அதை என் சொல்லில் கேளுங்கள்.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates even simple, accessible acts—like making a deity’s shrine from clay—into a powerful dharmic deed, emphasizing intention, reverence, and support of worship as sources of puṇya.
By valuing the creation of a devatāyatana, the verse points to bhakti expressed through tangible service (sevā): preparing a sacred space that enables remembrance, worship, and ongoing devotion.
Ritual application (kalpa in practice) is implied: establishing a proper place for worship and consecratory intent, even if the material is simple (clay), is treated as a meritorious religious act.