Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13
Māsopavāsa (Month-long Fast) and Repeated Parāka Observances: Procedure and Fruits
वर्षान्ते वेदविदुषे गां प्रदद्यात्स दक्षिणाम् । भोजयेद्वब्राह्माणांस्तत्र द्वादशैव विधानतः । शक्त्या च दक्षिणां दद्याद्रूह्यण्याभरणानि च ॥ १३ ॥
varṣānte vedaviduṣe gāṃ pradadyātsa dakṣiṇām | bhojayedvabrāhmāṇāṃstatra dvādaśaiva vidhānataḥ | śaktyā ca dakṣiṇāṃ dadyādrūhyaṇyābharaṇāni ca || 13 ||
Am Jahresende soll man einem vedakundigen Gelehrten eine Kuh als dakṣiṇā darbringen. Dort soll man nach rechter Vorschrift genau zwölf Brāhmaṇas speisen. Und nach Vermögen gebe man eine zusätzliche Gabe sowie Schmuck aus Silber und Gold.
Narada (instructional discourse within Dharma/ritual-giving context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames year-end charity as a dharmic act that sustains Vedic learning: gifting a cow with dakṣiṇā and feeding twelve brāhmaṇas is presented as a disciplined, rule-based offering that purifies the giver and supports sacred knowledge.
Though expressed as dāna-vidhi, it supports bhakti through seva—honoring Veda-knowers and serving brāhmaṇas is treated as devotional service that aligns one’s resources and conduct with dharma, a foundation for steady Vishnu-bhakti in Purāṇic ethics.
The emphasis on “vidhānataḥ” (according to procedure) reflects ritual discipline associated with Kalpa (Vedāṅga of ritual practice), including correct numbers (twelve brāhmaṇas), proper dakṣiṇā, and context-specific giving.