Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

The Explanation of the Twelve-Month Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

अयाचितोपवासाभ्यां तृतीयकचतुर्थके । एवं क्रमेण विधिवच्चत्वार्यब्दानि मानवः ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

ayācitopavāsābhyāṃ tṛtīyakacaturthake | evaṃ krameṇa vidhivaccatvāryabdāni mānavaḥ || 56 ||

Translation

Im dritten und vierten Jahr soll der Mensch die Übungen befolgen, von ungebetener, nicht erbetener Speise (ayācita) zu leben und zu fasten (upavāsa). So vollendet er, der Ordnung gemäß und die Vorschriften recht beachtend, vier Jahre (des Gelübdes).

Word by Word

• अयाचित-उपवासाभ्याम्: by (the observances of) unsolicited food and fasting
• अयाचित-उपवासाभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयाचित (प्रातिपदिक) + उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन (Dual); समासः—अयाचितश्च उपवासश्च (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व)

• तृतीयक-चतुर्थके: in the third and fourth (steps/years)
• तृतीयक-चतुर्थके: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृतीयक (प्रातिपदिक) + चतुर्थक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), द्विवचन (Dual); समासः—तृतीयकं च चतुर्थकं च (द्वन्द्व)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (manner adverb) “thus”

• क्रमेण: in order, sequentially
• क्रमेण: करण/रीति (Manner/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular); क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (adverbial instrumental)

• विधिवत्: according to the prescribed rule
• विधिवत्: सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (according to rule)

• चत्वारि-अब्दानि: four years
• चत्वारि-अब्दानि: कर्म/परिमाण (Measure/Extent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चत्वारि (संख्याशब्द/प्रातिपदिक) + अब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); ‘चत्वारि’ = numeral agreeing with neuter plural

• मानवः: a man (the practitioner)
• मानवः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a vrata-context within the Purva Bhaga)

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 emphasizes tapas guided by vidhi (proper rule): spiritual progress is strengthened when austerity is gradual, ethical, and sustained over time rather than impulsive.

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

By prescribing regulated restraint (fasting and contentment with unsolicited food), the verse supports purity and steadiness—qualities that make the mind fit for sustained devotion and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implicit: it outlines a sequential vrata-krama and insists on विधिवत्—performing observances according to prescribed rules and stages.