Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

आश्वायुज्यां कन्यकार्चा भूषावस्त्रधनादिभिः । कार्तिक्यां कुंकुमैश्चैव निशि दीपगणैरपि ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

āśvāyujyāṃ kanyakārcā bhūṣāvastradhanādibhiḥ | kārtikyāṃ kuṃkumaiścaiva niśi dīpagaṇairapi || 33 ||

Translation

Au mois d’Āśvayuja, qu’on accomplisse la vénération des jeunes filles (kanyā-arcā) avec parures, vêtements, richesses et dons semblables. Au mois de Kārtika, de même, qu’on adore avec du kunkuma (safran) et, la nuit, avec des rangées de lampes allumées.

Word by Word

• आश्वायुज्याम्: in (the month of) Āśvāyuja (Āśvina)
• आश्वायुज्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्वायुजी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन; मास-नाम

• कन्यका-अर्चा: (there is) worship of maidens
• कन्यका-अर्चा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्यका (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st case); एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (worship of maidens/virgins)

• भूषा-वस्त्र-धन-आदिभिः: with ornaments, garments, wealth, etc.
• भूषा-वस्त्र-धन-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूषा (प्रातिपदिक) + वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + धन (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/सूचीसमास (ornaments + clothes + wealth etc.)

• कार्तिक्याम्: in (the month of) Kārtika
• कार्तिक्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तिकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन; मास-नाम

• कुंकुमैः: with saffron/vermilion
• कुंकुमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुंकुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (emphatic particle: indeed/only)

• निशि: at night
• निशि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन

• दीप-गणैः: with groups of lamps
• दीप-गणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (a multitude of lamps)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अतिशयार्थक (also/even)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on vrata and ritual observances)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Kārtika-dīpa-vrata / Dīpa-dāna (lamp offering in Kārtika) (implied)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It prescribes month-specific vrata practices: honoring purity and auspiciousness through kanyā-arcā in Āśvayuja, and increasing sattva and devotional merit through kuṃkuma offerings and night lamp-offerings in Kārtika.

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

By directing the devotee to tangible acts of reverence—worship, gifting, and deepa-dāna—it channels devotion into disciplined, calendar-based service that supports sustained bhakti through the year.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects calendrical and ritual application (linked to Jyotiṣa and Kalpa): choosing specific lunar months (Āśvayuja, Kārtika) and appropriate offerings (kuṃkuma, lamps) as part of vrata-vidhi.