Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28
The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months
Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas
तत्र वत्सयुतां गां तु समालिख्य सुगंधिभिः । चंदनाद्यैस्तथा पुष्पमालाभिः प्रार्च्य ताम्रके ॥ २८ ॥
tatra vatsayutāṃ gāṃ tu samālikhya sugaṃdhibhiḥ | caṃdanādyaistathā puṣpamālābhiḥ prārcya tāmrake || 28 ||
Là, qu’on dessine une vache avec son veau, puis qu’on l’honore sur un récipient de cuivre, avec des substances parfumées —telles que le santal et autres— ainsi qu’avec des guirlandes de fleurs.
Narada (teaching ritual procedure in dialogue tradition; commonly transmitted via Suta)
Vrata: Govatsa-Dvādaśī-vrata (procedure detail)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It emphasizes reverential worship through sacred symbolism: depicting the cow-with-calf and honoring it with purity items (fragrance, sandalwood, garlands) reflects dharma, auspiciousness, and gratitude toward life-sustaining forces.
Bhakti here is expressed as attentive upacāra (devotional offerings): creating a respectful sacred form and worshipping it with pleasing, pure substances trains the mind toward reverence and disciplined devotion.
Ritual application (Kalpa/vidhi) is implicit: the verse gives procedural steps—iconic depiction, proper material (tāmraka/copper), and prescribed offerings (candana, sugandha, puṣpamālā)—typical of vrata and pūjā manuals.