Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
एकाहमपि यत्कुर्याद्भूमिस्थमुदकं नरः । स मुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः शतवर्षं वसेद्दिवि ॥ ५६ ॥
ekāhamapi yatkuryādbhūmisthamudakaṃ naraḥ | sa muktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ śatavarṣaṃ vaseddivi || 56 ||
Kahit sa loob lamang ng isang araw, kung ang tao ay magsagawa ng banal na gawain ng pagbuhos ng tubig sa lupa bilang handog, siya’y mapapalaya sa lahat ng kasalanan at mananahan sa langit sa loob ng sandaang taon.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It emphasizes that even a very simple, accessible act—offering water in a prescribed sacred manner—can function as a powerful prayāścitta (expiation), leading to purification from pāpa and the accrual of puṇya.
While the verse is framed as karma/ritual merit, it supports bhakti culture by highlighting sincerity in small offerings; such acts are traditionally performed with remembrance of the deity and reverence, aligning action with devotional intent.
It points to kalpa/prayoga (procedural ritual knowledge)—how offerings like udaka are to be placed/offered—rather than grammar or astrology, stressing correct performance of a simple rite.