Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

ऊर्ज्जकृष्णत्रयोदश्यामेकभक्तः समाहितः । प्रदोषे तैलदीपं तु प्रज्वाल्याभ्यर्च्य यत्नतः ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

ūrjjakṛṣṇatrayodaśyāmekabhaktaḥ samāhitaḥ | pradoṣe tailadīpaṃ tu prajvālyābhyarcya yatnataḥ || 46 ||

Translation

On the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodaśī) of the dark fortnight in the month of Ūrjja (Kārttika), one should be calm and intent, taking only a single meal; and at twilight (pradoṣa), having lit an oil lamp, one should worship with careful diligence.

Word by Word

• ūrja-kṛṣṇa-trayodaśyām: on the 13th (tithi) of the dark fortnight of Ūrja (Kārtika)
• ūrja-kṛṣṇa-trayodaśyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūrja (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + trayodaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—विशेषणपूर्वक-तत्पुरुषः (ūrja-māse kṛṣṇa-pakṣasya trayodaśyām)

• eka-bhaktaḥ: having a single meal (once-eating)
• eka-bhaktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः—‘one (meal) + eater/observant’

• samāhitaḥ: composed, concentrated
• samāhitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ā-√dhā (धा धातु) → samāhita (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Past passive participle (क्त/PPP) used adjectivally

• pradoṣe: at twilight (pradoṣa time)
• pradoṣe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• taila-dīpam: an oil lamp
• taila-dīpam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taila (प्रातिपदिक) + dīpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter usage; here Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः—‘oil-lamp’

• tu: indeed/and
• tu: Sambandha/Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• prajvāl-ya: having lit (it)
• prajvāl-ya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√jval (ज्वल् धातु) → prajvālya (कृदन्त, ल्यप्/त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), ‘having kindled’

• abhyarc-ya: having worshipped (it/Śiva)
• abhyarc-ya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√arc (अर्च् धातु) → abhyarcya (कृदन्त, ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), ‘having worshipped’

• yatnataḥ: carefully, diligently
• yatnataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial ablative (तसिल्/तस्), ‘with effort’

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Narada Purana’s instructional dialogue, traditionally framed with the Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ūrja (Kārttika) trayodaśī observance (lamp-worship at pradoṣa)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Ūrjja (Kārttika)
• Trayodaśī
• Pradoṣa
• Dīpa (oil lamp)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes Kārttika (Ūrjja) discipline—mental focus (samāhita), restraint in food (ekabhakta), and lamp-worship at pradoṣa—presenting devotion as a practiced, time-bound sādhana rather than a mere sentiment.

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

Bhakti is expressed through attentive worship (abhyarcya yatnataḥ) and offering light (tailadīpa) at twilight, aligning the devotee’s daily conduct, senses, and mind with reverence and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It applies calendrical/astronomical timing—tithi (Trayodaśī), pakṣa (kṛṣṇa), month-name (Ūrjja/Kārttika), and the pradoṣa period—reflecting Jyotiṣa-style ritual scheduling used for vrata performance.