Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 77

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

नमस्कृत्य जगन्नाथं प्रारंभे धनदव्रतम् । महाराजं यक्षपतिं गंधाद्यैरुपचारकैः ॥ ७६ ॥

Transliteration

namaskṛtya jagannāthaṃ prāraṃbhe dhanadavratam | mahārājaṃ yakṣapatiṃ gaṃdhādyairupacārakaiḥ || 76 ||

Translation

At the outset, having bowed to Jagannātha, Lord of the universe, one should worship the great king Dhanada (Kubera), lord of the Yakṣas, with offerings and ritual services such as fragrant unguents and the like.

Word by Word

• नमस्कृत्य: having bowed/saluted
• नमस्कृत्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial to main action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस्-√कृ (धातु) + ल्यप् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययीभावार्थक कृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), क्रियाविशेषण; अर्थः—नमस्कारं कृत्वा (having saluted)

• जगन्नाथम्: Lord of the world (Jagannātha)
• जगन्नाथम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् + नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg.); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जगतः नाथः)

• प्रारम्भे: at the beginning
• प्रारम्भे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रारम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन (Loc. sg.)

• धनदव्रतम्: the vow of Dhanada (Kubera)
• धनदव्रतम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनद + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg.); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धनदस्य व्रतम्)

• महाराजम्: the great king
• महाराजम्: कर्म (Karma/Object/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + राज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg.); कर्मधारयः (महान् राजा)

• यक्षपतिम्: lord of the Yakṣas
• यक्षपतिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यक्ष + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg.); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (यक्षाणां पतिः)

• गन्धाद्यैः: with perfumes and the like
• गन्धाद्यैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन (Instr. pl.); अव्ययीभावः (गन्ध-आदि = 'perfume etc.')

• उपचारकैः: with offerings/services
• उपचारकैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपचारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन (Instr. pl.)

Speaker

Narada (in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Dhanada-vrata (Kubera-vrata)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Jagannatha
• Dhanada (Kubera)
• Yakshas

FAQs

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

It teaches that any rite should begin with salutations to Jagannātha (the supreme Lord), and then proceed with orderly worship of the relevant deity—in this case Dhanada (Kubera)—using proper upacāras, establishing auspiciousness and right intention.

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

Bhakti is shown through the sequence of reverence: first surrender to Jagannātha, then perform worship with mindful offerings (gandha and other upacāras), making ritual action an expression of devotion rather than mere formality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (kalpa-style practice) is implied: beginning rites with an opening salutation and performing prescribed upacāras (services/offerings) in correct order—core practical discipline for vrata and pūjā performance.