Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months

Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

दत्वा विसर्जयेत्पश्चात्स्वयं भुंजीत बांधवैः । त्रिस्पृशोन्मीलिनी पक्षवर्द्धिनी वंजुली तथा ॥ ९१ ॥

Transliteration

datvā visarjayetpaścātsvayaṃ bhuṃjīta bāṃdhavaiḥ | trispṛśonmīlinī pakṣavarddhinī vaṃjulī tathā || 91 ||

Translation

Après avoir fait l’offrande prescrite, qu’on conclue ensuite le rite par la congé formel (visarjana). Puis, qu’on prenne soi-même le repas avec ses proches. Cette observance est aussi appelée Trispṛśā, Unmīlinī, Pakṣavardhinī, et également Vaṃjulī.

Word by Word

• datvā: having given
• datvā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā-pratyaya (क्त्वा), Absolutive/Gerund (अव्ययकृदन्त), pūrvakāla (prior action)

• visarjayet: should dismiss, should send off
• visarjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√sṛj (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• paścāt: afterwards
• paścāt: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paścāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; kāla-avyaya (temporal adverb ‘afterwards’)

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Karta (कर्ता; emphatic)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; emphasis/reflexive adverb (‘oneself’)

• bhuñjīta: should eat
• bhuñjīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• bāndhavaiḥ: with kinsmen
• bāndhavaiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक; सह/with)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāndhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन)

• tri-spṛśā-unmīlinī: (the Dvādaśī called) Tri-spṛśā-unmīlinī
• tri-spṛśā-unmīlinī: Karta (कर्ता; nominal listing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + spṛśā (प्रातिपदिक) + unmīlinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: tri-spṛśā = ‘three-touch’ (name/epithet) qualifying unmīlinī; whole as a named dvādaśī

• pakṣa-varddhinī: (the Dvādaśī called) Pakṣa-varddhinī
• pakṣa-varddhinī: Karta (कर्ता; nominal listing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + varddhinī (प्रातिपदिक; from √vṛdh)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: pakṣasya varddhinī = ‘increasing the fortnight’ (name)

• vaṃjulī: (the Dvādaśī called) Vaṃjulī
• vaṃjulī: Karta (कर्ता; nominal listing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṃjulī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); proper name (dvādaśī-name)

• tathā: also
• tathā: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; samuccaya/anuvṛtti (‘also, likewise’)

Speaker

Narada (in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework of Book 1)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Trispṛśā / Unmīlinī / Pakṣavardhinī / Vaṃjulī (alternate names for the observance)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It emphasizes completing a vow correctly: first the offering, then proper ritual closure (visarjana), and finally sanctified consumption—sharing the merit through a dharmic meal with one’s family.

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

Bhakti is expressed through orderly worship and reverent completion of the rite; the offering precedes personal enjoyment, showing devotion-led discipline rather than mere consumption.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and correct sequencing—offering, formal dismissal, then eating—reflects practical Kalpa-style discipline (ritual method) and vrata-nomenclature used in Purāṇic dharma sections.