Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

The Exposition of the Pratipadā Vrata for the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

कार्तिकासितभूतायामुपोष्यं व्रततत्परः । पूर्णायां शिवमभ्यर्च्य सुवण वंशसंयुतम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

kārtikāsitabhūtāyāmupoṣyaṃ vratatatparaḥ | pūrṇāyāṃ śivamabhyarcya suvaṇa vaṃśasaṃyutam || 21 ||

Translation

In der Neumondnacht des Monats Kārtika soll der dem Gelübde Ergebene fasten; und am Vollmondtag, nachdem er Śiva verehrt hat, soll er als Teil des Ritus etwa einen goldenen Bambusstab (oder goldenen Bambus) darbringen.

Word by Word

• कार्तिकासितभूतायाम्: in (the month of) Kārtika, in the dark fortnight
• कार्तिकासितभूतायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तिका + असित + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: कार्तिकायाम् असित-भूतायाम् (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रयोग; ‘in the dark (fortnight) of Kārtika’); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular (time)

• उपोष्यम्: one should fast
• उपोष्यम्: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उपवस् (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be fasted/one should fast’

• व्रततत्परः: intent on the vow
• व्रततत्परः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्रत + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: व्रते तत्परः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• पूर्णायाम्: on the full-moon (tithi)
• पूर्णायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्णा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular (time: full-moon day)

• शिवम्: Śiva
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• अभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped
• अभ्यर्च्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund): ‘having worshipped’

• सुवर्ण: golden / of gold
• सुवर्ण: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (प्रयोगानुसार), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; used adjectivally with the following noun

• वंशसंयुतम्: joined with a bamboo staff/rod
• वंशसंयुतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वंश + संयुत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: समासः: वंशेन संयुतम् (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicate/qualifier (object implied)

Speaker

Narada (teaching the vrata and ritual sequence in the Anukramaṇikā-style summary)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (Kārtika-linked vrata sequence implied)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kartika (month)
• Amavasya
• Purnima

FAQs

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

It prescribes a Kartika vrata sequence—fasting on amāvāsyā and worship of Śiva on pūrṇimā—showing how disciplined observance (vrata) and reverent pūjā are paired to purify conduct and intensify devotion.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through concrete acts: upavāsa (self-restraint) and abhyarcana (loving worship). The verse frames devotion as sustained commitment to a vow rather than a one-time ritual.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and its time-reckoning: the rite is anchored to specific lunar tithis—amāvāsyā (new moon) and pūrṇimā (full moon)—illustrating applied vrata-vidhi based on the lunar calendar.