Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
न दानैर्न तपोभिर्वा यज्ञैर्वा बहुदक्षिणैः । भक्तिहीनेर्मुनिश्चेष्ठ तुष्यते भगवान्हरिः ॥ ७ ॥
na dānairna tapobhirvā yajñairvā bahudakṣiṇaiḥ | bhaktihīnermuniśceṣṭha tuṣyate bhagavānhariḥ || 7 ||
非以布施，非以苦行，亦非以厚赐祭资的祭祀——噢，最胜牟尼——无奉爱（bhakti）之人，至尊主哈利（Hari）终不欢喜。
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It establishes Bhakti as the decisive inner principle: external merits like dāna, tapas, and yajña do not reach their spiritual fruition if the heart is without devotion to Hari.
It teaches that devotion is not an optional addition to Vedic practice; it is the very condition by which the Lord is pleased—making Bhakti the core that gives efficacy and meaning to religious acts.
The verse implicitly points to correct ritual understanding: yajña and dakṣiṇā (a key component of śrauta practice) are outward supports, but Narada Purana prioritizes the inner intention—Bhakti—over mere technical performance.