Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
अश्वमेघसहस्त्रं वा कर्म्म वेदोदितं कृतम् । तत्सर्वं निष्फलं ब्रह्मन्यदि भक्तिविवर्जितम् ॥ ११ ॥
aśvameghasahastraṃ vā karmma vedoditaṃ kṛtam | tatsarvaṃ niṣphalaṃ brahmanyadi bhaktivivarjitam || 11 ||
ஓ பிரஹ்மனே! ஆயிரம் அச்வமேத யாகங்களையோ, வேதம் விதித்த கர்மங்களையோ செய்தாலும், பக்தியின்றி இருந்தால் அவை அனைத்தும் பயனற்றவையே.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It declares that ritual magnitude (even a thousand Aśvamedhas) does not yield true spiritual fruit unless it is infused with bhakti; devotion is presented as the essential life of dharma and the bridge to moksha.
Bhakti is shown as the decisive factor that makes Vedic action meaningful—without heartfelt devotion, rites remain external and fail to transform the soul or grant the highest result.
The verse points to the principle behind Vedic ritual science (Kalpa/Vedic rites): correct performance alone is not sufficient; intention and devotional orientation determine the spiritual efficacy of karma.