Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
ब्राह्मणः प्रतिगृह्णीयात्सर्वतो भयवर्जितः । न कदापि क्षत्रविशो गृह्णीयातां प्रतिग्रहम् ॥ ३ ॥
brāhmaṇaḥ pratigṛhṇīyātsarvato bhayavarjitaḥ | na kadāpi kṣatraviśo gṛhṇīyātāṃ pratigraham || 3 ||
బ్రాహ్మణుడు అన్ని దిక్కుల నుండీ భయరహితుడై ప్రతిగ్రహాన్ని స్వీకరించవచ్చు; కాని క్షత్రియుడు, వైశ్యుడు ఎప్పుడూ ప్రతిగ్రహం స్వీకరించరాదు।
Narada (teaching in a dharma-instruction context, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framing)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It defines varna-based dharma around wealth and obligation: accepting gifts creates social and karmic ties, so the text restricts pratigraha to brāhmaṇas (whose role is teaching and ritual), while warning other varnas to avoid dependence and entanglement.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by promoting purity of livelihood and freedom from fear or obligation; a devotee’s conduct is stabilized when duties and resources align with dharma, preventing distractions that weaken sustained worship and discipline.
It reflects Dharmaśāstra-style injunctions (smṛti-based ritual-ethics) about dana and pratigraha—practical guidance used alongside kalpa (ritual procedure) to regulate giving/receiving in sacrificial and social settings.