Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
प्राकारकारिणस्तस्य कण्टकावरणप्रदाः । प्रयान्ति ब्रह्मणः स्थानं युगानामेकसप्ततिम् ॥ २३ ॥
prākārakāriṇastasya kaṇṭakāvaraṇapradāḥ | prayānti brahmaṇaḥ sthānaṃ yugānāmekasaptatim || 23 ||
Yaong nagtatayo ng mga pader na pananggalang para rito, at yaong nagbibigay ng pantakip laban sa mga tinik, ay makararating sa tahanan ni Brahmā sa loob ng pitumpu’t isang yuga.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that practical service—protecting and maintaining a sacred place or route—counts as high dharma and yields an exalted post-mortem reward: residence in Brahmā’s realm for a vast duration.
While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it highlights bhakti expressed as seva: safeguarding what is sacred for the benefit of devotees and pilgrims, which the Purana treats as a powerful form of religious merit.
It reflects kalpa-style practical dharma (ritual and duty application): maintaining sacred infrastructure and removing harm (like thorns) is presented as a concrete, merit-generating religious act.