Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74
Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam
The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya
पानीयदाननिरता येऽन्नदानरतास्तथा । एकादशीव्रतरता ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ७४ ॥
pānīyadānaniratā ye'nnadānaratāstathā | ekādaśīvrataratā te vai bhāgavatottamāḥ || 74 ||
Ceux qui s’appliquent à offrir de l’eau à boire, qui se réjouissent aussi de donner la nourriture, et qui demeurent fermes dans le vœu d’Ekādaśī—ceux-là sont vraiment les plus éminents parmi les dévots de Bhagavān.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Narada Purana dialogue frame)
Vrata: Ekādaśī
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It defines “bhāgavatottama” not merely by belief but by lived devotion—serving beings through essential charity (water and food) and honoring Viṣṇu through Ekādaśī-vrata.
Bhakti is shown as both worship and compassion: Ekādaśī aligns the devotee with Bhagavān, while water- and food-giving express devotion as selfless service (sevā) to living beings.
The observance of Ekādaśī relies on calendrical timing from Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astronomy/astrology) to identify the lunar tithi correctly, integrating ritual discipline with sacred timekeeping.