Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41
Dhvajāropaṇa and Dhvajāgopaṇa: Procedure, Stotra, and Phala (Merit) of Raising Viṣṇu’s Flag
कुर्वीत पारणं विप्र नारायणपरायणः । यस्त्वेतत्कर्म कुर्वीत ध्वजारोपणमुत्तमम् । तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्ष्ये श्रृणुष्व सुसमाहितः ॥ ४१ ॥
kurvīta pāraṇaṃ vipra nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ | yastvetatkarma kurvīta dhvajāropaṇamuttamam | tasya puṇyaphalaṃ vakṣye śrṛṇuṣva susamāhitaḥ || 41 ||
O brāhmaṇa devoted to Nārāyaṇa, one should perform the pāraṇa, the concluding rite of breaking the fast. And whoever performs this most excellent act—the raising of the sacred banner (dhvajāropaṇa)—listen with full attention as I now describe the meritorious fruit that arises from it.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that devotional rites must be completed properly—especially the pāraṇa—and that dhvajāropaṇa done with Nārāyaṇa-centered devotion yields distinct spiritual merit (puṇya) which the text proceeds to explain.
Bhakti is shown as single-pointed dedication to Nārāyaṇa (nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇaḥ), where ritual action is not merely formal but becomes an offering rooted in attentive faith and concentrated mind (susamāhita).
It highlights ritual procedure and completion (pāraṇa as the proper closure of a vrata), aligning with kalpa-style practical discipline—how rites are performed, concluded, and made spiritually effective through correct observance.