Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14
The Exposition of the Pratipadā Vrata for the Twelve Months
तिलकं नाम च प्रोक्तं कृष्णेनाजातशत्रवे । अथ ज्येष्ठे सिते पक्षे पक्षत्यां दिवसोदये ॥ १४ ॥
tilakaṃ nāma ca proktaṃ kṛṣṇenājātaśatrave | atha jyeṣṭhe site pakṣe pakṣatyāṃ divasodaye || 14 ||
‘തിലക’ എന്നറിയപ്പെടുന്ന കര്മ്മം ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണന് അജാതശത്രുവിന് ഉപദേശിച്ചു. അത് ജ്യേഷ്ഠമാസ ശുക്ലപക്ഷ അഷ്ടമി തിഥിയില്, സൂര്യോദയ സമയത്ത്, ആദ്യമായി പ്രസ്താവിക്കപ്പെട്ടു.
Narada (narrating within the Purāṇic summary tradition)
Vrata: Tilaka (rite/observance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It links tilaka with an authoritative lineage (Kṛṣṇa teaching it) and fixes an auspicious kāla (time), presenting tilaka as a dharmic marker that supports devotional identity and purity.
By presenting tilaka as a practice taught by Kṛṣṇa, the verse frames external devotional signs as aids to remembrance and commitment—supporting a Vaiṣṇava bhakti-oriented way of life.
It uses pañcāṅga-style calendrical specification—month (Jyeṣṭha), pakṣa (śukla), tithi (Aṣṭamī), and time (sunrise)—reflecting Jyotiṣa-based ritual timing.