Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

The Account of the Third-day Vow Observed through the Twelve Months

Tṛtīyā-vrata

Devanagari script

ददाति वित्तं पुत्रांश्च मतिं धर्मे शुभावहाम् । अथाषाढतृतीयायां शुक्लायां शुक्लवाससा ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

dadāti vittaṃ putrāṃśca matiṃ dharme śubhāvahām | athāṣāḍhatṛtīyāyāṃ śuklāyāṃ śuklavāsasā || 18 ||

Translation

It bestows wealth and sons, and also a wholesome, auspicious inclination toward dharma. Then, on the third lunar day of the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha, one should wear white garments.

Word by Word

• ददाति: gives
• ददाति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Parasmaipada; ‘gives’

• वित्तम्: wealth
• वित्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• पुत्रान्: sons
• पुत्रान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• मतिम्: understanding/mindset
• मतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• धर्मे: in righteousness (dharma)
• धर्मे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular (‘in dharma’)

• शुभावहाम्: auspicious-bringing
• शुभावहाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + आवह (आ + वह्-धातु, णिनि/अच्-प्रत्ययान्त प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (शुभम् आवहति या) ‘bringing auspiciousness’; agrees with मतिम्

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रमसूचक (particle)

• आषाढतृतीयायाम्: on Āṣāḍha third lunar day
• आषाढतृतीयायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आषाढ (प्रातिपदिक) + तृतीया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (आषाढमासस्य तृतीया) ‘on the third (tithi) of Āṣāḍha’

• शुक्लायाम्: in the bright (waxing) fortnight
• शुक्लायाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; adjective agreeing with तृतीयायाम्

• शुक्लवाससा: with white garments
• शुक्लवाससा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (शुक्लं वासः यस्य/येन) ‘with white clothing/garment’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Rambhā-vrata (continuation implied)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Dharma
• Ashadha

FAQs

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

The verse links vrata-style observance with inner transformation: beyond material results (wealth and progeny), it emphasizes gaining an auspicious mind established in dharma.

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

While the verse is framed as a vrata instruction, its core bhakti-aligned message is purity and right intention—external signs like wearing white support a sattvic disposition that helps sustain dharmic, devotional practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It uses calendrical discipline—identifying the tithi (Āṣāḍha śukla tṛtīyā)—reflecting Jyotiṣa-style timekeeping applied to ritual observance and vrata scheduling.