Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 44
The Exposition of the Saptamī Vow Observed Across Twelve Months
Saptamī-vrata-prakāśana
भोजयित्वा स्वयं चाद्यात्तदन्नं द्विजशेषितम् । कृतं ह्येतद्व्रतं विप्र सुभाष्यं श्रद्धयान्वितः ॥ ४४ ॥
bhojayitvā svayaṃ cādyāttadannaṃ dvijaśeṣitam | kṛtaṃ hyetadvrataṃ vipra subhāṣyaṃ śraddhayānvitaḥ || 44 ||
Having first fed the brāhmaṇas, one should then eat oneself the very food remaining after the brāhmaṇas. O brāhmin, this vow is indeed properly performed when carried out with reverent faith and with auspicious words (right recitation).
Narada (teaching in a dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: pañcagavya-vrata (continuation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It emphasizes that a vow (vrata) becomes spiritually effective when it is grounded in humility and reverence—serving the learned (dvijas) first, then accepting what remains, and performing the act with sincere śraddhā and proper utterance.
By highlighting service, self-restraint, and faith, the verse frames ritual observance as an attitude of devotion—placing dharmic service before personal enjoyment and completing the act with reverent intention.
The mention of “su-bhāṣya” points to correct and auspicious recitation and speech discipline—aligned with Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (proper linguistic form) as practical supports for ritual performance.
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