Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96

द्वादशमासेषु अष्टमी-व्रत-कथनम्

Account of the Aṣṭamī Vow Across the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं रासभस्थां दिगंबराम् । मार्जनी कलशोपेतां विस्फोटकविनाशिनीम् ॥ ९६ ॥

Transliteration

vande'haṃ śītalāṃ devīṃ rāsabhasthāṃ digaṃbarām | mārjanī kalaśopetāṃ visphoṭakavināśinīm || 96 ||

Translation

أنحني للإلهة شيتالا—الجالسة على حمار، المتسربلة بالجهات (كأن السماء لباسها)، الحاملة مكنسةً وقُلّة ماء (كَلَشَة)، مُهلكةَ الطفوح والبثور وآفاتٍ شبيهة بالجدري.

Word by Word

• vande: I worship/salute
• vande: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vand (वन्द् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (present/लट्), Uttama-puruṣa (1st), Ekavacana (sg)

• aham: I
• aham: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (pronoun/सर्वनाम), Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• śītalām: Śītalā
• śītalām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śītalā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• devīm: the goddess
• devīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; apposition to śītalām

• rāsabhasthām: seated on a donkey
• rāsabhasthām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāsabha-sthā (प्रातिपदिक) [rāsabha + sthā]
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of devīm

• digambarām: sky-clad (nude)
• digambarām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dig-ambara (प्रातिपदिक) [diś + ambara]
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; ‘whose garment is the directions/sky’

• mārjanī: (with) a broom
• mārjanī: Sahacihna/Attribute (उपलक्षण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārjanī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana; śītalā’s attribute (broom) in apposition (elliptic ‘(holding)’)

• kalaśopetām: accompanied by a water-pot
• kalaśopetām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kalaśa-upeta (प्रातिपदिक) [kalaśa + upeta]
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of devīm

• visphoṭakavināśinīm: destroyer of smallpox/eruptive disease
• visphoṭakavināśinīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: visphoṭaka-vināśinī (प्रातिपदिक) [visphoṭaka + vināśinī]
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of devīm

Speaker

Narada (stuti as part of the Narada Purana’s compiled praise/ritual verse section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śītalā-aṣṭamī (contextual)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Śītalā Devī

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It is a protective stuti invoking Śītalā Devī as a cooling, purifying power who removes afflictions, especially eruptive illnesses, through devotion and ritual remembrance.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti is expressed through direct surrender—“vande’ham”—where the devotee contemplates the deity’s form and attributes (vāhana, emblems) and seeks grace for relief and well-being.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application (Kalpa-prayoga) is implied: iconographic identifiers (donkey, broom, water-pot) guide correct worship and recitation for a specific protective purpose.