Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 162
The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras
सोष्णीषकंचुको विद्वान्कृष्णे भूते दिवानिशम् । उपवासी श्मशाने वा विपिने शून्यमंदिरे ॥ १६२ ॥
soṣṇīṣakaṃcuko vidvānkṛṣṇe bhūte divāniśam | upavāsī śmaśāne vā vipine śūnyamaṃdire || 162 ||
Le sage, coiffé d’un turban et revêtu d’un vêtement supérieur, doit demeurer à jeun jour et nuit au jour de lune sombre nommé Kṛṣṇā-bhūtā, qu’il se trouve au champ de crémation, dans la forêt ou dans un temple désert.
Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/vrata context; dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage implied for this section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It prescribes a severe vrata: sustained fasting through day and night in liminal places (cremation ground, forest, deserted shrine), emphasizing fearlessness, detachment, and disciplined ritual resolve.
While stated as an austerity rule, the underlying bhakti principle is single-pointed dedication—choosing restraint and sacred intent over comfort, which supports steadiness of mind for worship and remembrance.
It reflects tithi-based observance (time-discipline) and vrata procedure—how to structure an upavāsa across day and night and the prescribed setting—typical of technical dharma guidance aligned with Vedanga-style calendrical and ritual regulation.