Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

इषे शुक्लत्रयोदश्यां त्रिरात्रशोककव्रतम् । हैमं ह्यशोकं निर्माय पूजयित्वा विधानतः ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

iṣe śuklatrayodaśyāṃ trirātraśokakavratam | haimaṃ hyaśokaṃ nirmāya pūjayitvā vidhānataḥ || 41 ||

Translation

Au treizième jour de la quinzaine claire du mois d’Īṣa, on doit accomplir le vœu de trois nuits nommé Aśoka-vrata ; après avoir façonné en or la forme d’Aśoka (arbre/manifestation divine), on l’honore selon le rite prescrit.

Word by Word

• iṣe: in (the month) Iṣa (Āśvina)
• iṣe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: iṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• śukla-trayodaśyām: on the bright (fortnight) thirteenth lunar day
• śukla-trayodaśyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śukla (प्रातिपदिक) + trayodaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); karmadhāraya: 'śuklā trayodaśī'

• trirātra-śoka-ka-vratam: the three-night Aśoka-vow
• trirātra-śoka-ka-vratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + rātra (प्रातिपदिक) + aśoka (प्रातिपदिक) + ka (प्रत्यय) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'trirātraṃ (yāvat) aśokaka-vratam' (a three-night Aśoka-related vow)

• haimam: golden
• haimam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: haima (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying aśokam

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha/Discourse particle (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphatic/indeed

• aśokam: an Aśoka (tree/image)
• aśokam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśoka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• nirmāya: having made
• nirmāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√mā (धाातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), 'having made/constructed'

• pūjayitvā: having worshipped
• pūjayitvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pūj (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), 'having worshipped'

• vidhānataḥ: according to the prescribed procedure
• vidhānataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablatival adverb (तसिल्-अव्ययभाव), 'according to rule/prescription'

Speaker

Narada (teaching the vrata-vidhi within the Narada Purana dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Aśoka-vrata (Trirātra-śoka-ka-vrata)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Aśoka

FAQs

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

It teaches a specific, time-bound vrata: by observing the three-night Aśoka-vrata and worshipping Aśoka in a prescribed manner, the practitioner ritually aligns with the principle of “a-śoka” (freedom from sorrow) through disciplined dharma.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as regulated worship—creating a sacred form and offering pūjā “vidhānataḥ.” The verse emphasizes devotion guided by śāstric procedure rather than mere sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights calendrical/astronomical timing—observance on Śukla Trayodaśī in a named month—reflecting Jyotiṣa-style tithi-based ritual scheduling used in Purāṇic vrata practice.