Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
परलोकं समुद्दश्य ह्यैहिकं वापि नारद । यद्दानं दीयते पात्रे तत्काम्यं मध्यमं स्मृतम् ॥ २० ॥
paralokaṃ samuddaśya hyaihikaṃ vāpi nārada | yaddānaṃ dīyate pātre tatkāmyaṃ madhyamaṃ smṛtam || 20 ||
噢，纳罗陀，若以求得果报之心——或为来世，或为今生——将布施施与堪受之人，此布施被称为“欲求之施”(kāmya)，属中等之品。
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It distinguishes charity by inner motive: giving to a worthy person while seeking results (in this life or the next) is ethically valid but spiritually ‘middling’ because it remains tied to desire (kāma) rather than pure detachment.
By implication it contrasts result-seeking acts with purer offerings: bhakti matures when giving becomes an offering without expectation of reward, whereas kāmya dāna still keeps the mind on personal benefit.
Ritual ethics rather than a specific Vedāṅga: it emphasizes dharma-based discernment of pātra (worthiness of the recipient) and intention (saṅkalpa), key principles for correct performance of charitable rites.