Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months

Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

कांचनं कामदेवं च शुक्तां गां च पयस्विनीम् । वासोभिर्द्विजदांपत्यं पूजयित्वा समर्पयेत् ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

kāṃcanaṃ kāmadevaṃ ca śuktāṃ gāṃ ca payasvinīm | vāsobhirdvijadāṃpatyaṃ pūjayitvā samarpayet || 8 ||

Translation

Qu’on offre de l’or, une image de Kāmadeva, une śukti (coquille perlière) et une vache laitière; puis, après avoir honoré un couple de brāhmaṇas par des vêtements, qu’on leur remette ces présents.

Word by Word

• kāñcanam: gold
• kāñcanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kāma-devam: Kāmadeva
• kāma-devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः: कामस्य देवः (the god of love)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction ‘and’

• śuktām: a pearl-oyster shell
• śuktām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śukti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd), Singular

• gām: a cow
• gām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction ‘and’

• payasvinīm: milk-yielding
• payasvinīm: Viśeṣaṇa of Karma (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: payasvinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; adjective qualifying gām

• vāsobhiḥ: with garments/cloths
• vāsobhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• dvija-dāṃpatyam: a Brahmin couple
• dvija-dāṃpatyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक) + dāṃpatya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः: द्विजयोः दाम्पत्यम् (a Brahmin couple)

• pūjayitvā: having honoured
• pūjayitvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pūj (पूज्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त): pūjayitvā (with -itvā); ‘having worshipped/honoured’

• samarpayet: should offer/present
• samarpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√arp (अर्प्)
• Form: Verb; विधिलिङ् (optative), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular; ‘should present/hand over’

Speaker

Narada (teaching, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Kāmadeva
• Dvija (Brahmin couple)
• Cow (Go)

FAQs

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

It teaches dāna-dharma: merit is strengthened by giving auspicious, life-supporting gifts (gold, a milch cow) and by respectfully honoring a worthy recipient—specifically a Brahmin couple—before the offering.

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

While primarily a ritual instruction, it supports bhakti through reverent service (pūjā) and selfless offering (samarpana), cultivating humility and gratitude—qualities that mature devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/ritual procedure: selecting auspicious items for dāna, identifying qualified recipients (dvija-dāmpatya), and the correct sequence—first honor (pūjayitvā), then gift (samarpayet).