Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months

Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

दत्वा विसर्जयेत्पश्चात्स्वयं भुंजीत बांधवैः । त्रिस्पृशोन्मीलिनी पक्षवर्द्धिनी वंजुली तथा ॥ ९१ ॥

Transliteration

datvā visarjayetpaścātsvayaṃ bhuṃjīta bāṃdhavaiḥ | trispṛśonmīlinī pakṣavarddhinī vaṃjulī tathā || 91 ||

Translation

Nachdem die vorgeschriebene Gabe dargebracht wurde, soll man den Ritus anschließend ordnungsgemäß durch die förmliche Entlassung (visarjana) beschließen. Danach soll man selbst zusammen mit den Verwandten die Mahlzeit einnehmen. Diese Observanz heißt auch Trispṛśā, Unmīlinī, Pakṣavardhinī und ebenso Vaṃjulī.

Word by Word

• datvā: having given
• datvā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā-pratyaya (क्त्वा), Absolutive/Gerund (अव्ययकृदन्त), pūrvakāla (prior action)

• visarjayet: should dismiss, should send off
• visarjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√sṛj (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• paścāt: afterwards
• paścāt: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paścāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; kāla-avyaya (temporal adverb ‘afterwards’)

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Karta (कर्ता; emphatic)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; emphasis/reflexive adverb (‘oneself’)

• bhuñjīta: should eat
• bhuñjīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• bāndhavaiḥ: with kinsmen
• bāndhavaiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक; सह/with)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāndhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन)

• tri-spṛśā-unmīlinī: (the Dvādaśī called) Tri-spṛśā-unmīlinī
• tri-spṛśā-unmīlinī: Karta (कर्ता; nominal listing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + spṛśā (प्रातिपदिक) + unmīlinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: tri-spṛśā = ‘three-touch’ (name/epithet) qualifying unmīlinī; whole as a named dvādaśī

• pakṣa-varddhinī: (the Dvādaśī called) Pakṣa-varddhinī
• pakṣa-varddhinī: Karta (कर्ता; nominal listing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + varddhinī (प्रातिपदिक; from √vṛdh)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: pakṣasya varddhinī = ‘increasing the fortnight’ (name)

• vaṃjulī: (the Dvādaśī called) Vaṃjulī
• vaṃjulī: Karta (कर्ता; nominal listing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṃjulī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); proper name (dvādaśī-name)

• tathā: also
• tathā: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; samuccaya/anuvṛtti (‘also, likewise’)

Speaker

Narada (in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework of Book 1)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Trispṛśā / Unmīlinī / Pakṣavardhinī / Vaṃjulī (alternate names for the observance)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It emphasizes completing a vow correctly: first the offering, then proper ritual closure (visarjana), and finally sanctified consumption—sharing the merit through a dharmic meal with one’s family.

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

Bhakti is expressed through orderly worship and reverent completion of the rite; the offering precedes personal enjoyment, showing devotion-led discipline rather than mere consumption.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and correct sequencing—offering, formal dismissal, then eating—reflects practical Kalpa-style discipline (ritual method) and vrata-nomenclature used in Purāṇic dharma sections.