Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
द्वादशमासेषु अष्टमी-व्रत-कथनम्
Account of the Aṣṭamī Vow Across the Twelve Months
स विमानेन चरति गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणैः । शुक्लाष्टम्यां तथाऽषाढे स्नात्वा चैव निशांबुना ॥ ९ ॥
sa vimānena carati gandharvāpsarasāṃ gaṇaiḥ | śuklāṣṭamyāṃ tathā'ṣāḍhe snātvā caiva niśāṃbunā || 9 ||
Il se déplace dans un vimāna, entouré de troupes de Gandharvas et d’Apsaras, après s’être baigné—au jour d’Aṣṭamī de la quinzaine claire du mois d’Āṣāḍha—dans l’eau de la nuit.
Narada (teaching within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
The verse states a phala (result): performing the prescribed bath on Śukla Aṣṭamī in Āṣāḍha using niśāmbu brings exalted, celestial enjoyment—symbolized by travel in a vimāna with Gandharvas and Apsarases—indicating accrued punya from disciplined observance.
While it is framed as a ritual merit, it supports bhakti indirectly by emphasizing faithful adherence to sacred timings (tithi) and purity-practices; such vrata-style discipline is presented in the Purāṇic tradition as a supportive limb that prepares the devotee for sustained worship and higher devotion.
It highlights calendrical discipline—tithi (Śukla Aṣṭamī) and māsa (Āṣāḍha)—which aligns with Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology/astronomy) used to determine proper ritual times, along with basic snāna-vidhi (ritual bathing practice).