Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2
Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala
क्षयाहपूर्वदिवसे स्नात्वा चैकाशनो भवेत् । अधः शायी ब्रह्मचारी निशि विप्रान्निमंत्रयेत् ॥ २ ॥
kṣayāhapūrvadivase snātvā caikāśano bhavet | adhaḥ śāyī brahmacārī niśi viprānnimaṃtrayet || 2 ||
ક્ષયાહના પૂર્વ દિવસે સ્નાન કરીને એકવાર જ ભોજન કરવું. ભૂમિ પર શયન કરવું, બ્રહ્મચર્ય પાળવું અને રાત્રે બ્રાહ્મણોને આમંત્રિત કરવું.
Narada (in dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara, teaching ritual discipline)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It emphasizes purification and restraint before an important rite: bathing, moderation in food, celibacy, and humility (sleeping on the ground) prepare the performer to act with śraddhā and ritual integrity.
Though primarily a ritual rule, it supports bhakti by cultivating self-control and reverence—qualities that make worship and offerings (including honoring brāhmaṇas) sincere and sattvic.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: the verse gives a clear niyama—timing (the prior day/night), conduct (ekāśana, brahmacarya), and the formal invitation (nimaṃtraṇa) required for the rite.