Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
तरवः किं न जीवन्ति तेऽपि लोके परार्थकाः । यत्र मूलफलैर्वृक्षाः परकार्यं प्रकुर्वते ॥ २५ ॥
taravaḥ kiṃ na jīvanti te'pi loke parārthakāḥ | yatra mūlaphalairvṛkṣāḥ parakāryaṃ prakurvate || 25 ||
کیا اس دنیا میں درخت نہیں جیتے؟ وہ بھی پرائے بھلے کے لیے ہیں؛ کیونکہ جڑ، سایہ اور پھل کے ذریعے وہ دوسروں کا بھلا کرتے ہیں۔
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that true worth is measured by paropakāra—like trees that sustain others, a human life becomes dhārmic when it is oriented toward benefiting the world rather than mere self-preservation.
Bhakti in the Purāṇic sense is expressed through seva and compassion; serving living beings selflessly is presented as a natural outward sign of an inner God-centered life.
No specific Vedāṅga (Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, etc.) is taught here; the practical takeaway is sadācāra—ethical conduct aligned with Dharma, especially generosity and service.