Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
The Exposition of the Saptamī Vow Observed Across Twelve Months
Saptamī-vrata-prakāśana
निंबपत्रैः स्मृता पूजा भास्करस्य द्विजोत्तम । खखोल्कायेति मंत्रेण प्रणवाद्येन नारद ॥ १९ ॥
niṃbapatraiḥ smṛtā pūjā bhāskarasya dvijottama | khakholkāyeti maṃtreṇa praṇavādyena nārada || 19 ||
Oh el mejor de los nacidos dos veces, se enseña que la adoración de Bhāskara (el Sol) se realiza con hojas de neem. Oh Nārada, úsese el mantra “khakholkāya”, precedido por el praṇava, Oṃ.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It prescribes a specific, tradition-backed method of Sun-worship—using neem leaves and a pranava-led mantra—showing that devotion is strengthened when performed with correct ritual elements (dravya) and mantra.
Bhakti here is expressed through disciplined pūjā to Bhāskara, where reverence is joined with mantra-recitation beginning with Oṃ, indicating worship that unites faith with sacred sound.
Mantra-prayoga (practical application of mantra) and correct ritual procedure are emphasized; the instruction “praṇavādyena” reflects attention to phonetic/recitational order associated with Śikṣā and ritual discipline.