Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 71

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

ततश्च दक्षिणां दत्वा स्वयमेकाशनं चरेत् । एवं कृते तु विधिवद्व्रती सौभाग्यभाजनः ॥ ७१ ॥

Transliteration

tataśca dakṣiṇāṃ datvā svayamekāśanaṃ caret | evaṃ kṛte tu vidhivadvratī saubhāgyabhājanaḥ || 71 ||

Translation

ثم بعد أن يقدّم الدكشِنا (عطية الكهنة) على الوجه المقرر، فليلتزم بنفسه رياضة الاكتفاء بوجبة واحدة. فإذا أُدِّي ذلك على وفق الشريعة، صار صاحب النذر مستحقًّا لنيل السعادة والبركة.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb); अर्थे: तस्मात्/अनन्तरम् (thereafter)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• dakṣiṇām: a priestly fee/donation
• dakṣiṇām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣiṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (sg.)

• datvā: having given
• datvā: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धा॒तु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive); अर्थ: दत्त्वा = having given

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आत्मवाचक (reflexive adverb)

• ekāśanam: single meal (once-eating)
• ekāśanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक) + āśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (sg.); तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative): एकम् आशनम् = one meal

• caret: should practice
• caret: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: car (चर् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद; अर्थ: should practice/should do

• evam: thus
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner)

• kṛte: when (this is) done
• kṛte: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle) ‘कृत’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (sg.); लोके: ‘कृते’ = when done/after being done

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/विरोधार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• vidhivat: according to the prescribed rule
• vidhivat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (वत्)
• Form: अव्यय; तद्धितान्त-अव्यय (adverb): विधिवत् = according to rule

• vratī: the vow-observer
• vratī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vratin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (sg.)

• saubhāgya-bhājanaḥ: a recipient of good fortune
• saubhāgya-bhājanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saubhāgya (प्रातिपदिक) + bhājana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (sg.); तत्पुरुष-समास: सौभाग्यस्य भाजनः = recipient of good fortune

Speaker

Narada (teaching procedural vrata-dharma)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It links outer correctness (giving dakṣiṇā and following injunctions) with inner restraint (ekāśana), teaching that disciplined, rule-based observance makes the vow spiritually fruitful and auspicious.

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

By emphasizing humility, offering (dakṣiṇā), and self-control (one-meal discipline), it supports bhakti as a regulated life of service and restraint that prepares the mind for sustained devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied through vidhivat performance and the rule of dakṣiṇā; it reflects how rites and vows are completed through prescribed steps and proper offerings.