Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner
पित्रा कृतानि सर्वाणि तडागादीनि सत्तम । अपालयत्प्रयत्नेन सदा धर्मपरायणः ॥ १७ ॥
pitrā kṛtāni sarvāṇi taḍāgādīni sattama | apālayatprayatnena sadā dharmaparāyaṇaḥ || 17 ||
اے نیکوں میں برتر، باپ کے بنائے ہوئے تالاب وغیرہ سب کاموں کی اس نے پوری کوشش سے نگہداشت و حفاظت کی، اور وہ ہمیشہ دھرم پر قائم رہا۔
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: vira (heroic)
FAQs
It teaches that dharma includes preserving beneficial works (like ponds and tanks) created for public welfare; protecting such resources is a sustained form of punya and righteous living.
Though it speaks in the language of dharma, it aligns with bhakti by emphasizing selfless stewardship and service—actions offered with sincerity become an expression of devotion and reverence for sacred order.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is directly taught; the practical takeaway is dharmic administration—consistent maintenance of community resources as a duty.