Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

चैत्रशुक्ल चतुर्दश्यां कुंकुमागरुचन्दनैः । गन्धाद्यैर्वस्त्रमणिभिः कार्यार्या महती शिवे ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

caitraśukla caturdaśyāṃ kuṃkumāgarucandanaiḥ | gandhādyairvastramaṇibhiḥ kāryāryā mahatī śive || 2 ||

Translation

Au quatorzième jour lunaire (Caturdaśī) de la quinzaine claire de Caitra, qu’on accomplisse pour Śivā un culte vaste et noble, avec kunkuma (safran), agaru, santal, parfums et autres offrandes, ainsi que vêtements et joyaux.

Word by Word

• caitra-śukla-caturdaśyām: on the bright fourteenth of Caitra
• caitra-śukla-caturdaśyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/time-locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caitra (प्रातिपदिक) + śukla (प्रातिपदिक) + caturdaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; ‘on the bright (fortnight) fourteenth of Caitra’

• kuṃkuma-agaru-candanaiḥ: with saffron, aloe-wood, and sandalwood
• kuṃkuma-agaru-candanaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṃkuma (प्रातिपदिक) + agaru (प्रातिपदिक) + candana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; means/instruments

• gandha-ādyaiḥ: with perfumes etc.
• gandha-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; ‘with perfumes and the like’

• vastra-maṇibhiḥ: with garments and jewels
• vastra-maṇibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• kāryā: should be done
• kāryā: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेय-विशेषण/predicative obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive (णीयत्/यत्-प्रत्यय; कार्य), Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with ‘āryā’ (understood: pūjā/arcā)

• āryā: a noble lady / the venerable one
• āryā: Karta (कर्ता/agent, implied performer)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āryā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mahatī: great
• mahatī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifying ‘āryā’

• śive: O Śivā (Goddess)
• śive: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śivā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

Speaker

Narada (teaching in an instructional, vrata/puja context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Caitra-śukla-caturdaśī vrata/pūjā (Śivā-pūjā)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shiva (Śivā)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that sacred timing (Caitra-śukla Caturdaśī) and reverent, high-quality offerings together constitute a ‘mahatī’ (grand) worship, reflecting devotion expressed through purity, beauty, and intentional ritual order.

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

Bhakti here is shown as loving honor (satkāra) toward the deity—offering pleasing substances like fragrance, sandalwood, and ornaments—where devotion becomes tangible through careful, generous worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It relies on calendrical discipline—tithi-based observance (Caturdaśī in Caitra-śukla)—which aligns with Jyotiṣa-style time-reckoning used to select auspicious ritual moments.