Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
दग्भेन चापि हिंसार्थं परस्याविधिनापि च । क्रुद्धेनाश्रद्धयापात्रे तद्दानं मध्यमं स्मृतम् ॥ २१ ॥
dagbhena cāpi hiṃsārthaṃ parasyāvidhināpi ca | kruddhenāśraddhayāpātre taddānaṃ madhyamaṃ smṛtam || 21 ||
Bố thí được ghi nhớ là bậc trung khi được trao với sự sỉ nhục, hoặc với ý định làm hại, hoặc theo cách thức sai trái của người khác; cũng vậy, khi dâng trong cơn giận, không có lòng tin, và cho kẻ không xứng đáng.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It teaches that the merit of dāna depends not only on the object given but on intention, śraddhā, proper vidhi, and the worthiness of the recipient; harmful or faithless giving yields only middling spiritual fruit.
Bhakti is expressed through reverent, non-harmful offering; giving in anger or to injure others contradicts devotion, because true offering is meant to please the Divine through purity of heart and conduct.
It highlights the importance of vidhi (correct ritual procedure) and discernment of pātra/apātra—practical dharma-application aligned with śāstra-guided conduct rather than impulsive or socially pressured giving.