Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 77
The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months
Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas
स्नात्वा विधानेन गृह्णोयाद्वार्षिकव्रतम् । पीत्वा गश्रृंगवार्यादौ तां च कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम् ॥ ७७ ॥
snātvā vidhānena gṛhṇoyādvārṣikavratam | pītvā gaśrṛṃgavāryādau tāṃ ca kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam || 77 ||
Having bathed according to the prescribed rite, one should undertake the annual vow. Then, after first sipping sacred water—such as the water of Gaśṛṅga—one should reverently circumambulate that holy place (pradakṣiṇa).
Narada
Vrata: vārṣika-vrata (annual vow; generic label in the verse)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that vrata is not merely intention but a disciplined sādhana: purification by prescribed bathing, sanctification by sipping holy water, and devotion expressed through pradakṣiṇā of the sacred locus.
Bhakti is shown through embodied reverence—approaching a sacred place properly, honoring its tīrtha-water, and circumambulating it—acts that cultivate humility and remembrance of the divine associated with the tīrtha.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is emphasized: vidhi-based snāna, the correct sequence of sipping holy water (ācamanā-like act), and the rite of pradakṣiṇā as part of vrata observance.