Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

द्रोणपुष्पैर्बिल्वदलैरर्कपुष्पैश्च केतकैः । पुष्पैः फलैर्मिष्टपक्वैर्नैवेद्यैर्विविधैरपि ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

droṇapuṣpairbilvadalairarkapuṣpaiśca ketakaiḥ | puṣpaiḥ phalairmiṣṭapakvairnaivedyairvividhairapi || 51 ||

Translation

Mit Droṇa-Blüten, Bilva-Blättern, Arka-Blüten und Ketakī-Blüten; ebenso mit vielerlei Blumen, Früchten und süßen gekochten Speisen als vielfältige Naivedya-Gaben soll die Verehrung vollzogen werden.

Word by Word

• द्रोण-पुष्पैः: with droṇa-flowers
• द्रोण-पुष्पैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (द्रोणस्य पुष्पाणि)

• बिल्व-दलैः: with bilva leaves
• बिल्व-दलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बिल्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (बिल्वस्य दलानि)

• अर्क-पुष्पैः: with arka-flowers
• अर्क-पुष्पैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अर्कस्य पुष्पाणि)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• केतकैः: with ketaka flowers
• केतकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• पुष्पैः: with flowers
• पुष्पैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• फलैः: with fruits
• फलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• मिष्ट-पक्वैः: with sweet cooked (items)
• मिष्ट-पक्वैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + पक्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (फल/नैवेद्यादीनाम्); कर्मधारयः (मिष्टं च तत् पक्वं च)

• नैवेद्यैः: with food-offerings
• नैवेद्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• विविधैः: various
• विविधैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (नैवेद्यानाम्)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अप्यर्थे (also/even)

Speaker

Narada (instructional narration within the Anukramanika/summary section, framed in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)

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 emphasizes bhakti expressed through upacāra—offering pure, auspicious items (flowers, leaves, fruits, sweets) as naivedya, making devotion tangible through reverent worship.

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

Bhakti here is practiced as loving service (sevā) to the deity: selecting sacred natural offerings and presenting them with care, indicating surrender and gratitude rather than mere ritualism.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practice (kalpa-oriented procedure) is implied: the verse lists standard pūjā materials and naivedya categories used in formal worship, guiding correct observance and offering etiquette.