Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58
The Explanation of the Twelve-Month Caturthī Vrata
अशक्तो वर्णकैरेव शुभ्रं चाब्जं सुपत्रकम् । तस्योपरि घटं स्थाप्य ताम्रपात्रेण संयुतम् ॥ ५८ ॥
aśakto varṇakaireva śubhraṃ cābjaṃ supatrakam | tasyopari ghaṭaṃ sthāpya tāmrapātreṇa saṃyutam || 58 ||
Si l’on n’en a pas la capacité (d’accomplir le rite en entier), qu’on façonne avec des pigments un lotus blanc aux beaux pétales ; sur ce lotus, qu’on place un pot d’eau (ghaṭa), accompagné d’un récipient de cuivre (tāmra-pātra).
Narada (teaching ritual substitutions/pratikalpa within a procedural context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It teaches that sincere worship can be maintained through symbolically correct substitutes—purity of intent is preserved by using a white lotus form, a kalaśa, and a copper vessel even when full ritual resources are unavailable.
Bhakti is supported by accessible, orderly worship: even an aśakta devotee may continue disciplined offering by arranging sacred symbols (lotus, kalaśa) that uphold reverence and focus.
It reflects ritual-technical know-how (kalpa/ācāra): correct materials and placements (lotus base, kalaśa above, copper vessel connection) show procedural precision typical of applied Vedic ritual science.