Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 64
The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months
Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas
गुरवे धेनुसहितां दद्यात्संप्रार्थयेत्तथा । शतजन्मसु यत्किंचिन्मयाखंडव्रतं कृतम् ॥ ६४ ॥
gurave dhenusahitāṃ dadyātsaṃprārthayettathā | śatajanmasu yatkiṃcinmayākhaṃḍavrataṃ kṛtam || 64 ||
Debe ofrecerse al gurú una vaca con su ternero y, del mismo modo, suplicar con fervor: «Cualquier voto ininterrumpido (akhaṇḍa-vrata) que yo haya cumplido en cien nacimientos, que su mérito sea hecho pleno y eficaz».
Narada (in dialogue with Sanatkumara tradition; instructional narration)
Vrata: akhaṇḍa-vrata (general/aspirational reference)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that vrata-merit is safeguarded and made fruitful through humility before the guru, coupled with dharmic giving (go-dāna), turning past efforts across many births into effective spiritual capital.
By directing the devotee to approach the guru with reverence, gift, and prayer, it frames devotion as surrender and service—seeking grace so that one’s observances become spiritually complete.
It reflects Kalpa-oriented ritual practice: the use of dāna (especially go-dāna) and formal supplication as supportive acts for vrata-siddhi (successful completion of vows).