Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48

The Explanation of the Twelve-Month Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

यद्वा क्षीरेण करकं पूर्णं तोयेन वा मुने । सपूगाक्षतरत्नाढ्यं द्विजाय प्रतिपादयेत् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

yadvā kṣīreṇa karakaṃ pūrṇaṃ toyena vā mune | sapūgākṣataratnāḍhyaṃ dvijāya pratipādayet || 48 ||

Translation

Ou bien, ô sage, qu’on remette à un deux-fois-né (brāhmaṇa) un pot rempli de lait —ou d’eau— avec des noix de bétel, de l’akṣata (riz intact) et orné de gemmes.

Word by Word

• यद्वा: or alternatively
• यद्वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यद् + वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययसमूहः; विकल्पार्थक (or alternatively)

• क्षीरेण: with milk
• क्षीरेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• करकम्: a pot/vessel
• करकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• पूर्णम्: filled/full
• पूर्णम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; करकम् इति विशेष्येण सह

• तोयेन: with water
• तोयेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विकल्पार्थक (or)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• सपूगाक्षतरत्नाढ्यम्: richly furnished with betel, rice-grains, and jewels
• सपूगाक्षतरत्नाढ्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + पूग + अक्षत + रत्न + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (having betel-nuts, unbroken rice, and jewels; richly furnished with these) — करकम् इति विशेष्येण सह

• द्विजाय: to a brahmin
• द्विजाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन

• प्रतिपादयेत्: should present/give
• प्रतिपादयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति√पद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Dvija (Brahmana)

FAQs

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

It highlights dāna (ritual charity) as a dharmic act: offering a filled vessel (milk or water) with auspicious items to a dvija is presented as a merit-producing, sanctifying gift within vrata and ritual contexts.

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

While not a direct bhakti instruction, it supports devotional life by prescribing pure, respectful offerings and service to sacred recipients (dvijas), a traditional limb of dharma that complements Vishnu-bhakti through humility and generosity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practice aligned with Kalpa/Smārta procedure is implied: the verse specifies correct gift-items (karaka/kalasha, akṣata, pūga) and proper recipient (dvija), reflecting applied ritual science rather than grammar or astrology.