Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months

Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

चैत्रस्य शुक्लद्वादश्यां मदनव्रतमाचरेत् । स्थापयेदव्रणं कुंभं सिततंदुलपूरितम् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

caitrasya śukladvādaśyāṃ madanavratamācaret | sthāpayedavraṇaṃ kuṃbhaṃ sitataṃdulapūritam || 2 ||

Translation

Au jour de Dvādaśī claire (Śukla Dvādaśī) du mois de Caitra, qu’on observe le Madana-vrata. Qu’on établisse une jarre rituelle (kumbha) sans défaut, remplie de riz blanc.

Word by Word

• चैत्रस्य: of Caitra (month)
• चैत्रस्य: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चैत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध) एकवचन

• शुक्लद्वादश्याम्: on the bright (fortnight) Dvādaśī
• शुक्लद्वादश्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्ल-द्वादशी (प्रातिपदिक; शुक्ल + द्वादशी)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण) एकवचन

• मदनव्रतम्: the Madana-vow
• मदनव्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मदन-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक; मदन + व्रत)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म) एकवचन

• आचरेत्: should perform
• आचरेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• स्थापयेत्: should place; should set up
• स्थापयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु; √स्था + णिच्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative (णिजन्त)

• अव्रणम्: unwounded; without blemish
• अव्रणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-व्रण (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-पूर्वक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; विशेषण of कुंभम्

• कुंभम्: a pot; jar
• कुंभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुंभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म) एकवचन

• सिततंदुलपूरितम्: filled with white rice-grains
• सिततंदुलपूरितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित-तण्डुल-पूरित (कृदन्त; पूरित (√पॄ/पूर् धातु + क्त) with qualifiers)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि (past passive participle) used adjectivally; विशेषण of कुंभम्

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Madana-vrata

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Madana

FAQs

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

It establishes the exact sacred timing (Caitra Śukla Dvādaśī) and the foundational ritual symbol (a spotless kumbha with white rice), emphasizing purity, auspiciousness, and disciplined vrata-practice as a means to gain devotional merit.

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

By prescribing a vrata with careful purity and offerings, the verse frames bhakti as expressed through regulated worship—devotion made tangible through time, cleanliness, and reverent ritual preparation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalā/astronomical time-reckoning and ritual calendrics are implied through the precise tithi instruction (Śukla Dvādaśī of Caitra), reflecting Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa-style attention to auspicious timing for religious observances.