Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
यो ददाति च नोभुक्ते तद्धनं नाशकारणम् । धनं धर्मफलं विप्र धर्मो माधवतुष्टिकृत् ॥ २४ ॥
yo dadāti ca nobhukte taddhanaṃ nāśakāraṇam | dhanaṃ dharmaphalaṃ vipra dharmo mādhavatuṣṭikṛt || 24 ||
若人能布施而不为享乐而囤积，其财富便不致成为败亡之因。噢，婆罗门，财富唯在契合达摩时方结果；而达摩即是令摩陀婆（毗湿奴）欢悦之道。
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Dharma-upadesha context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that wealth becomes spiritually meaningful only when used in dharma—especially through giving—and that true dharma is measured by its capacity to please Mādhava (Viṣṇu).
By defining dharma as “that which satisfies Mādhava,” it frames ethical living and charity as devotional acts—outer conduct becomes bhakti when oriented toward pleasing Viṣṇu.
The verse highlights Dharma-śāstra practical ethics (sadācāra) rather than a technical Vedāṅga; it gives a clear rule of conduct: channel artha into dāna and dharmic purposes instead of hoarding for enjoyment.