Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26
The Explanation of the Twelve-Month Caturthī Vrata
व्रतं कृत्वा समुद्याप्य धेनुं दद्यात्पयस्विनीम् । प्रभावेण व्रतस्यास्य भुक्त्वा भोगान्मनोरमान् ॥ २६ ॥
vrataṃ kṛtvā samudyāpya dhenuṃ dadyātpayasvinīm | prabhāveṇa vratasyāsya bhuktvā bhogānmanoramān || 26 ||
വ്രതം അനുഷ്ഠിച്ച് വിധിപൂർവ്വം ഉദ്യാപനം ചെയ്ത ശേഷം പാൽ തരുന്ന ധേനുവിനെ ദാനം ചെയ്യണം. ഈ വ്രതത്തിന്റെ പ്രഭാവത്താൽ മനോഹരമായ ഭോഗസുഖങ്ങൾ അനുഭവിക്കും।
Narada (teaching within the Narada Purana’s vrata-vidhi context; dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage implied)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It emphasizes that a vow (vrata) is not complete without proper udyāpana (formal conclusion) and dana (charitable gifting), showing that disciplined observance must culminate in generosity to become spiritually fruitful.
While framed as vrata-vidhi, it supports bhakti-culture by linking devotion expressed through disciplined observance with selfless giving; the devotee’s vrata is sealed by dana, reinforcing humility and offering-oriented living.
It highlights ritual procedure (kalpa-style practice): the concept of udyāpana—formally concluding a vrata—and prescribing an appropriate gift (milch cow) as part of correct rite-completion.