Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 45
द्वादशमासेषु अष्टमी-व्रत-कथनम्
Account of the Aṣṭamī Vow Across the Twelve Months
दूर्वाष्टमीव्रतं चात्र कथितं तच्च मे श्रृणु । शुचौ देशे प्रजातायां द्वर्वायां द्विजसत्तम ॥ ४५ ॥
dūrvāṣṭamīvrataṃ cātra kathitaṃ tacca me śrṛṇu | śucau deśe prajātāyāṃ dvarvāyāṃ dvijasattama || 45 ||
ഇവിടെ ദൂർവാഷ്ടമി വ്രതം വിവരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; ഇനി എന്നിൽ നിന്ന് കേൾക്കുക, ഹേ ദ്വിജശ്രേഷ്ഠാ—ശുദ്ധദേശത്ത് വളർന്ന പവിത്ര ദൂർവാ പുല്ലോടുകൂടെ (ഇത് അനുഷ്ഠിക്കണം)।
Narada (teaching an inquiring twice-born listener within the Narada Purana dialogue framework)
Vrata: Dūrvāṣṭamī-vrata
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that a vrata is not merely a date-based fast but a disciplined sacred act requiring śauca (purity) and proper ritual materials—here, dūrvā grass obtained from a clean place—so the observance becomes spiritually efficacious.
By instructing the listener to carefully hear and follow the vrata rules, it frames devotion as attentive, obedient practice (śravaṇa and anusaraṇa) where external purity supports inner reverence toward the deity worshiped through the vow.
It highlights kalpa-oriented ritual discipline (proper selection of materials and purity of place), a practical application aligned with Vedāṅga concerns of correct procedure in religious observances.