Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

The Exposition of the Pratipadā Vrata for the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

पठनीयं नवदिनं भुक्तिमुक्ती अभीप्सता । कुमारीपूजनं तत्र प्रशस्तं भोजनादिभिः ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

paṭhanīyaṃ navadinaṃ bhuktimuktī abhīpsatā | kumārīpūjanaṃ tatra praśastaṃ bhojanādibhiḥ || 33 ||

Translation

One who longs for both worldly enjoyment and liberation should recite this for nine days. In that observance, the worship of maidens (kumārī-pūjan) is especially praised, along with offerings such as food and the hospitality that attends it.

Word by Word

• paṭhanīyam: should be read/recited
• paṭhanīyam: Vidhi (विधि/आज्ञार्थ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paṭh (धातु) + anīya (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (अनīय), कर्मणि/विधेयार्थे; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (predicate/impersonal: 'to be read')

• nava-dinam: for nine days
• nava-dinam: Adhikarana (अधिकरण—काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक) + dina (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (accusative of duration)

• bhukti-muktī: enjoyment and liberation
• bhukti-muktī: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhukti (प्रातिपदिक) + mukti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया द्विवचन (as desired objects)

• abhīpsatā: by the one who desires
• abhīpsatā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhi-īps (धातु) + śatṛ (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (instrumental: 'by one desiring')

• kumārī-pūjanam: worship of maidens
• kumārī-pūjanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumārī (प्रातिपदिक) + pūjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कुमारीणां पूजनम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• tatra: there/in that rite
• tatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण—देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्थानवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• praśastam: is commendable
• praśastam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicate adjective)

• bhojana-ādibhiḥ: with food and the like
• bhojana-ādibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhojana (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव/तत्पुरुष-प्राय (आदि-समास: 'and the like'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It presents a structured sādhana: a nine-day recitation undertaken with a clear aim—both well-being in life (bhukti) and final freedom (mukti)—and it frames compassionate honoring of kumārīs with offerings as a sanctifying component of the observance.

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

Bhakti is expressed as disciplined engagement (regular recitation) joined with reverent service and giving (pūjā and bhojana), showing devotion not only as prayer but as worship and hospitality offered in a sacred vow-context.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights practical ritual procedure (kalpa-oriented vrata discipline): specifying a time-span (nine days), a prescribed ancillary act (kumārī-pūjana), and the required upacāras (offerings like food), which are key elements in applied dharma practice.