Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
The Narration of the Navamī Vow Observed Across the Twelve Months
अशक्तश्चैकभक्तं वै मध्याह्नोत्सवतः परम् । विप्रान्संभोज्य मिष्टान्नै रामप्रीति सुमाचरेत् ॥ ३ ॥
aśaktaścaikabhaktaṃ vai madhyāhnotsavataḥ param | viprānsaṃbhojya miṣṭānnai rāmaprīti sumācaret || 3 ||
Barangsiapa tidak mampu menjalankan seluruh tata cara, hendaknya setelah perayaan tengah hari ia menjalankan vrata ekabhakta (sekali makan). Setelah menjamu para brāhmaṇa dengan hidangan manis penuh hormat, hendaknya ia melakukannya dengan baik demi keridaan Śrī Rāma.
Narada
Vrata: Śrī-Rāmanavamī-vrata (contextual continuation)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sincere devotion can be maintained even with a simplified observance: if one cannot do everything, one may keep ekabhakta and offer charitable hospitality to brāhmaṇas, dedicating the act to Rāma’s pleasure.
Bhakti here is expressed through intention and dedication (rāma-prīti): regulated living (one meal) and service (feeding others) become devotional acts when performed as worship rather than mere social duty.
It reflects kalpa/prayoga (ritual procedure): timing after midday rites, a specific dietary rule (ekabhakta), and the prescribed act of honoring brāhmaṇas with suitable offerings such as miṣṭānna.