Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
The Exposition of the Saptamī Vow Observed Across Twelve Months
Saptamī-vrata-prakāśana
मार्तंडाख्यं व्रतं नाम कथयंति द्विजाः परे । एकमेवेति च प्रोक्तमेकदैवतया बुधैः ॥ ५५ ॥
mārtaṃḍākhyaṃ vrataṃ nāma kathayaṃti dvijāḥ pare | ekameveti ca proktamekadaivatayā budhaiḥ || 55 ||
ある学識ある二度生まれの賢者たちは、「マールタンダ・ヴラタ」と名づける誓戒を説く。さらに智者は、それが一柱の神のみを所縁として修されるゆえに、「ただ一つ」とも宣言する。
Narada (teaching in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: Mārtaṇḍa-vrata (alternate naming/tradition)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It highlights a key rule of vrata-dharma: an observance becomes spiritually coherent and effective when it is performed with ekadaivata—exclusive focus on one chosen deity—here identified as Mārtaṇḍa (the Sun).
By stressing ‘one deity’ (ekadaivata), the verse points to single-pointed devotion and steadiness of worship, a bhakti principle where the mind is not scattered among multiple objects during a vow.
It reflects ritual discipline (kalpa-oriented practice): defining a vrata by its devatā-niyama (fixed presiding deity) is a practical rule for correct performance and consistent results.