Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

The Exposition of the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Observed Through the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

एवमभ्यर्च्य विधिवद्रात्रौ जागरणोत्सवम् । गीतवाद्यनटैर्नृत्यैः प्रोक्षणीयैरनेकधा ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

evamabhyarcya vidhivadrātrau jāgaraṇotsavam | gītavādyanaṭairnṛtyaiḥ prokṣaṇīyairanekadhā || 20 ||

Translation

So soll man, nachdem man vorschriftsgemäß verehrt hat, in der Nacht das Fest der Nachtwache (jāgaraṇa) begehen – begleitet von Gesang, Instrumentalmusik, Darbietungen, Tänzen und vielfältigen rituellen Besprengungen zur Heiligung.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Adverb), प्रकारवाचकः

• अभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped
• अभ्यर्च्य: पूर्वक्रिया (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa/पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-√अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभावेन प्रयोगः

• विधिवत्: according to rule
• विधिवत्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (Adverb), यथाविधि अर्थे

• रात्रौ: at night
• रात्रौ: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time-location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• जागरणोत्सवम्: the vigil-festival (night vigil celebration)
• जागरणोत्सवम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जागरण-उत्सव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (जागरणस्य उत्सवः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• गीतवाद्यनटैः: with singers, musicians, and actors
• गीतवाद्यनटैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गीत-वाद्य-नट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (गीत + वाद्य + नट); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• नृत्यैः: with dances
• नृत्यैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• प्रोक्षणीयैः: fit for sprinkling/purificatory sprinklings
• प्रोक्षणीयैः: विशेषण (Qualifier of instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रोक्षणीय (प्रातिपदिक; √उक्ष्/√क्षिप्? ‘प्रोक्षण’ से)
• Form: णीयत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/Future passive participle) विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; नृत्यैः/उत्सवकर्मणि साधनभावः

• अनेकधा: in many ways
• अनेकधा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनेकधा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Adverb), प्रकारवाचकः

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It frames devotion as a complete sacred celebration: correct worship (vidhi) culminates in a night vigil (jāgaraṇa) filled with sanctifying rites and devotional arts, turning the entire night into an offering.

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

Bhakti is expressed through communal praise—song, instruments, and dance—performed as an utsava after formal worship, showing that loving remembrance and glorification are integral to ritual devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (vidhi) and purification by prokṣaṇa are emphasized—practical elements aligned with Kalpa (ritual manuals) and correct liturgical conduct in worship settings.