Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

भाद्रशुक्लत्रयोदश्यां गोत्रिरात्रव्रतं स्मृतम् । लक्ष्मीनारायणं कृत्वा सौवर्णं वापि राजतम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

bhādraśuklatrayodaśyāṃ gotrirātravrataṃ smṛtam | lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṃ kṛtvā sauvarṇaṃ vāpi rājatam || 33 ||

Translation

Au treizième jour lunaire (trayodaśī) de la quinzaine claire de Bhādrapada est prescrit le vœu dit « vœu des trois nuits ». Qu’on façonne Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa, en or ou bien en argent.

Word by Word

• bhādra-śukla-trayodaśyām: on Bhādra bright-fortnight’s 13th day
• bhādra-śukla-trayodaśyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhādra (प्रातिपदिक) + śukla (प्रातिपदिक) + trayodaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th), Singular; tatpuruṣa chain: ‘on the trayodaśī of the bright fortnight of Bhādra’ (कालाधिकरण)

• go-tri-rātra-vratam: the Go-trirātra vow
• go-tri-rātra-vratam: Karta (कर्ता; predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक) + tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + rātra (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘vow of three nights (tri-rātra) with cows (go-)’ (name of vow)

• smṛtam: is said/remembered (as)
• smṛtam: Kriya (क्रिया; passive predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Nominative, Singular; ‘is remembered/declared’

• lakṣmī-nārāyaṇam: Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa (as a form/image)
• lakṣmī-nārāyaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक) + nārāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; dvandva (itaretara) used as deity-pair name; object of kṛtvā

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriya (क्रिया; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त), having made/constructed

• sauvarṇam: golden
• sauvarṇam: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sauvarṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies implied ‘pratimā/arcā’

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, disjunctive particle (विकल्प)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात) meaning ‘also/even’

• rājatam: silver (made of silver)
• rājatam: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies implied ‘pratimā/arcā’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: gotrirātra-vrata (three-night vow)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmi
• Narayana
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It establishes an auspicious calendrical moment (Bhādrapada Śukla Trayodaśī) for undertaking a disciplined three-night vow centered on Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa, linking vrata (self-restraint) with devotional worship and sacred giving.

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

Bhakti is expressed through concrete worship: honoring Vishnu together with Lakshmi and preparing an image for veneration, showing devotion as reverent service (sevā) supported by purity, vow-observance, and offering.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalā/ritual timing and calendrical discipline are implied: the tithi (Trayodaśī) and lunar fortnight (Śukla pakṣa) guide correct observance, reflecting applied jyotiṣa-based scheduling used in vrata-vidhi.