Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months

Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

गंधपुष्पाद्यर्चितया जनैर्नीराजयेद्धरिम् । तत्रैवानुगतां लक्ष्मीं ब्रह्माणीं चंडिकां तथा ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

gaṃdhapuṣpādyarcitayā janairnīrājayeddharim | tatraivānugatāṃ lakṣmīṃ brahmāṇīṃ caṃḍikāṃ tathā || 41 ||

Translation

Après avoir adoré Hari avec parfums, fleurs et autres offrandes, que le peuple accomplisse le nīrājana (l’ondoiement des lumières) pour Hari; et là même qu’il honore aussi Lakṣmī qui l’accompagne, ainsi que Brahmāṇī et Caṇḍikā.

Word by Word

• gandha-puṣpa-ādi-arcitayā: with (items) worshipped by perfumes, flowers, etc.
• gandha-puṣpa-ādi-arcitayā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gandha + puṣpa + ādi + arcita (√arc + kta) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (गन्ध-पुष्प-आदि-भिः अर्चिता)

• janaiḥ: by people
• janaiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• nīrājayet: should wave lights / perform nīrājana
• nīrājayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √rāj (राज्) उपसर्ग-नि + णिच् + विधिलिङ्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative (णिच्): ‘should perform nīrājana’

• harim: Hari (Vishnu)
• harim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• anugatām: attendant/following
• anugatām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anugata (anu + √gam + kta) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (lakṣmīm)

• lakṣmīm: Lakshmi
• lakṣmīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• brahmāṇīm: Brahmāṇī
• brahmāṇīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmāṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• caṃḍikām: Caṇḍikā
• caṃḍikām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caṃḍikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘likewise’)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Nīrājana-vrata

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Lakshmi
• Brahmani
• Candika

FAQs

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

It frames devotion as complete worship: after offering gandha and flowers, the devotee seals the act with nīrājana to Hari and respectfully acknowledges the divine powers present with him—especially Lakṣmī—showing that bhakti includes reverence to the associated śaktis.

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

Bhakti is expressed through tangible, loving service (upacāras) like fragrance, flowers, and ārati; it also emphasizes honoring Hari as the center while recognizing Lakṣmī and other revered forms (Brahmāṇī, Caṇḍikā) within the devotional space.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and liturgical practice are highlighted—specifically the pūjā-upacāra sequence culminating in nīrājana (ārati), a practical takeaway aligned with traditional kalpa-style ritual organization (though not a technical exposition of a single Vedāṅga).