Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 32
The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months
संभोज्य मिष्टपक्वान्नैर्दक्षिणाभिः प्रतोषयेत् । एवं यः कुरुतेऽनंतव्रतं प्रत्यक्षमादरात् ॥ ३२ ॥
saṃbhojya miṣṭapakvānnairdakṣiṇābhiḥ pratoṣayet | evaṃ yaḥ kurute'naṃtavrataṃ pratyakṣamādarāt || 32 ||
Nachdem man sie mit Süßspeisen und wohlgekochter Nahrung bewirtet hat, soll man sie durch angemessene dakṣiṇā (Gaben) völlig zufriedenstellen. So erfüllt, wer das Ananta-vrata mit sichtbarer, persönlicher Sorgfalt und Ehrfurcht vollzieht, den Gelübdeweg wahrhaftig.
Narada (teaching in the Narada Purana’s instructional dialogue tradition)
Vrata: Ananta-vrata
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that a vow becomes spiritually effective not only through formal rites but through sincere, personal reverence expressed as feeding (bhojana) and charitable gifts (dakṣiṇā), which complete the dharmic act.
By emphasizing ādarāt (reverent care) and pratyakṣam (direct, personal performance), the verse frames bhakti as practical service—honoring Viṣṇu/Ananta through hospitality and generosity rather than mere verbal observance.
It highlights kalpa-style ritual discipline: the procedural elements of vrata—proper feeding, concluding honoraria (dakṣiṇā), and the etiquette of satisfying invitees—showing applied dharma rather than grammar or astrology.