Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58
Gaṇeśa Mantra-vidhi: Mahāgaṇapati Gāyatrī, Vakratuṇḍa Mantra, Nyāsa, Homa, Āvaraṇa-pūjā, and Caturthī Vrata
स्पृष्ट्रा चैव निरहारस्तां शिखायां समुद्वहन् । द्यूते विवादे समरे व्यवहारे जयं लभेत् ॥ ५८ ॥
spṛṣṭrā caiva nirahārastāṃ śikhāyāṃ samudvahan | dyūte vivāde samare vyavahāre jayaṃ labhet || 58 ||
بعد لمسه مع البقاء على صومٍ بلا طعام، وحمل الشِّخا (خصلة الشعر الطقسية) على الوجه اللائق، ينال المرء الظفر في القمار، وفي الخصومات، وفي المعركة، وفي معاملات الدنيا.
Narada (instructional discourse within Vedanga/ritual context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents a ritual-technical observance (fasting and maintaining the śikhā) as a disciplined act believed to generate protective and success-bestowing potency (siddhi) in challenging worldly situations.
While not explicitly devotional, it reflects the Purāṇic principle that bodily discipline and observance (niyama) can support a devotee’s steadiness and protection in life, indirectly aiding sustained religious practice.
It aligns with Śikṣā/kalpa-style ritual discipline: the śikhā as a marker of Vedic identity and regulated conduct, combined with nirāhāra (fasting) as a rule-based observance used for specific aims.