Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 115

The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months

Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

श्रवणर्क्षयुतायां च द्वादश्यां भाद्रशुक्लके । ऊर्ज्जे सितायां द्वादश्यामंत्यभे च व्रतद्वयम् ॥ ११५ ॥

Transliteration

śravaṇarkṣayutāyāṃ ca dvādaśyāṃ bhādraśuklake | ūrjje sitāyāṃ dvādaśyāmaṃtyabhe ca vratadvayam || 115 ||

Translation

Dans la quinzaine claire de Bhādrapada, lorsque Dvādaśī est jointe au nakṣatra Śravaṇa; et dans la quinzaine claire d’Ūrja (Āśvina), lorsque Dvādaśī tombe sous le dernier nakṣatra (Revatī), deux vœux (vrata) distincts doivent être observés.

Word by Word

• śravaṇa-ṛkṣa-yutāyām: in (the day) joined with Śravaṇa nakṣatra
• śravaṇa-ṛkṣa-yutāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + yutā (कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः; yutā = 'युक्ता' (PPP of √yuj), 'endowed/associated with'; अर्थः—'in (the Dvādaśī) associated with the Śravaṇa nakṣatra'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction): 'and'

• dvādaśyām: on Dvādaśī
• dvādaśyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• bhādra-śuklake: in Bhādra bright fortnight
• bhādra-śuklake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhādra (प्रातिपदिक) + śukla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (bhādrasya śuklake) = 'in the bright (fortnight) of Bhādra'

• ūrjje: in Ūrja (month)
• ūrjje: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūrjja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; मासनाम (name of month: Ūrja/Āśvina)

• sitāyām: in the bright fortnight
• sitāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sitā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; 'in the bright (fortnight)'

• dvādaśyām: on Dvādaśī
• dvādaśyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• antya-bhe: in the last nakṣatra
• antya-bhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antya (प्रातिपदिक) + bha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (antyaṃ bhaṃ) = 'in the last nakṣatra'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• vrata-dvayam: two vows
• vrata-dvayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + dvaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'pair of vows'

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Dvādaśī-vrata (instruction: vratadvayam—two vows—to be observed on specified yogas)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches that vrata-results depend on precise sacred timing—tithi (Dvādaśī) harmonized with nakṣatra (Śravaṇa/Revatī)—showing Dharma as both devotion and disciplined alignment with cosmic order.

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

By prescribing specific Dvādaśī-based vratas, it directs devotion into regulated worship and fasting practices traditionally offered to Viṣṇu, where correct observance becomes an act of bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology): it uses the calendrical science of tithi (Dvādaśī), pakṣa (bright fortnight), lunar months (Bhādrapada/Ūrja), and nakṣatra (Śravaṇa/Revatī) to determine ritual timing.