Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27
Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas
दद्याद्दानानि शूद्रोऽपि पाकयज्ञैर्यजेन्न च । ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शुश्रूषानि रतो भवेत् ॥ २७ ॥
dadyāddānāni śūdro'pi pākayajñairyajenna ca | brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ śuśrūṣāni rato bhavet || 27 ||
శూద్రుడైనా దానాలు ఇవ్వాలి; కానీ పాకయజ్ఞాలు (వైదిక పాక-యాగాలు) చేయకూడదు. బ్రాహ్మణ, క్షత్రియ, వైశ్యులకు సేవా-శుశ్రూషలో నిమగ్నుడై ఉండాలి.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: karuna (compassion)
FAQs
It teaches that spiritual merit is accessible through dharmic conduct—especially dāna (charity) and śuśrūṣā (humble service)—even when certain Vedic sacrificial rites are restricted by eligibility.
By emphasizing seva (service) and selfless giving, it points to a bhakti-aligned ethic: devotion expressed through humility, support of dharmic society, and actions that reduce ego and cultivate sattva.
It reflects ritual classification and eligibility principles connected to Kalpa (Vedāṅga dealing with ritual procedure), distinguishing pākayajña-type sacrificial acts from broadly permitted duties like dāna and service.