Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37
The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months
तासां मध्ये तु या नंदा तस्यै धेन्वै नमो नमः । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य ततो दद्याद्विप्राय मंत्रतः ॥ ३७ ॥
tāsāṃ madhye tu yā naṃdā tasyai dhenvai namo namaḥ | pradakṣiṇīkṛtya tato dadyādviprāya maṃtrataḥ || 37 ||
Among those cows, the one named Nandā—unto that cow one should offer salutations again and again. Then, having reverently circumambulated her (pradakṣiṇā), one should, with the proper mantras, gift the cow to a learned brāhmaṇa.
Narada (teaching ritual procedure in the Purva Bhaga context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames go-dāna as a sanctified act: first honoring the sacred cow (Nandā) with repeated salutations and pradakṣiṇā, then completing the merit-bearing gift by offering her to a qualified brāhmaṇa with proper mantras.
Bhakti is expressed here as reverent worship-in-action—bowing, circumambulating, and giving with mantras—where devotion becomes tangible through respectful service and sacred charity rather than mere sentiment.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is emphasized: the verse specifies ritual sequencing—namaskāra, pradakṣiṇā, and mantra-guided dāna—showing how correct liturgical method supports dhārmic merit.