Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26

The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

निबघ्नीयान्नवं नारी वामे दक्षे पुमान्भुजे । विपाच्य पिष्टपक्वं तत्प्रदद्याद्दक्षिणान्वितम् ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

nibaghnīyānnavaṃ nārī vāme dakṣe pumānbhuje | vipācya piṣṭapakvaṃ tatpradadyāddakṣiṇānvitam || 26 ||

Translation

Eine Frau soll den neuen Faden am linken Arm binden, ein Mann am rechten. Dann soll man die Speise aus Mehl zubereiten und sie zusammen mit der vorgeschriebenen Dakṣiṇā darbringen.

Word by Word

• nibaghnīyāt: should bind
• nibaghnīyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-bandh (नि+बन्ध् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should tie/bind’

• navam: new
• navam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (qualifying implied object e.g., sūtram)

• nārī: a woman
• nārī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vāme: on the left (side)
• vāme: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; (locative)

• dakṣe: on the right (side)
• dakṣe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; (locative)

• pumān: a man
• pumān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pumān (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• bhuje: on the arm
• bhuje: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘on the arm’

• vipācya: having cooked
• vipācya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-pac (वि+पच् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having cooked well’

• piṣṭa: ground flour/dough
• piṣṭa: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṣṭa (कृदन्त; पिष् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासाङ्ग

• pakvam: cooked
• pakvam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pakva (कृदन्त; पच् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘cooked/ripe’

• piṣṭapakvam: cooked flour-preparation
• piṣṭapakvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṣṭa + pakva (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘piṣṭaṃ pakvaṃ’ = cooked flour-preparation

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘that (thing)’

• pradadyāt: should give
• pradadyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-dā (प्र+दा धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should give’

• dakṣiṇā-anvitam: accompanied by a gift (dakṣiṇā)
• dakṣiṇā-anvitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dakṣiṇā + anvita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘dakṣiṇayā anvitaṃ’ = accompanied by a fee/gift

Speaker

Narada

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 śāstra-based discipline in vrata practice: correct bodily placement (left/right arm), proper preparation of naivedya, and completion of the rite through dakṣiṇā—linking devotion with ethical giving (dāna).

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

Bhakti is expressed here as orderly worship: the devotee follows prescribed observances, offers prepared food as naivedya, and honors sacred service with dakṣiṇā—devotion enacted through careful, respectful ritual conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is primary: it specifies the correct rule for tying (nibandhana), directional convention (vāma/dakṣiṇa), and the requirement of dakṣiṇā as part of completing the rite.