Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 84

The Account of the Ekādaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

यतस्त्रिदिनसंसाध्यं कीर्तिनं पापनाशनम् । सर्वव्रतोत्तमं विप्र ततो ज्ञेयं महाफलम् ॥ ८४ ॥

Transliteration

yatastridinasaṃsādhyaṃ kīrtinaṃ pāpanāśanam | sarvavratottamaṃ vipra tato jñeyaṃ mahāphalam || 84 ||

Translation

ഹേ വിപ്രാ! ഇത് മൂന്നു ദിവസത്തിൽ വിധിപൂർവ്വം സാധ്യമാകുന്നതും, പാപനാശകമെന്നു കീര്ത്തിക്കപ്പെട്ടതും, എല്ലാ വ്രതങ്ങളിലും ഉത്തമമെന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധമായതുമാകയാൽ—ഇത് മഹാഫലം നൽകുന്നതായി അറിയണം.

Word by Word

• yataḥ: because/since
• yataḥ: Hetu (हेतु/Cause marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थक (causal indeclinable) ‘because/since’

• tri-dina-saṃsādhyam: to be completed in three days
• tri-dina-saṃsādhyam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + dina (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃsādhya (संसाध्य; साध् धातु, कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (द्विगु-पूर्वपद: ‘त्रिदिन’ + ‘संसाध्य’ = to be accomplished in three days)

• kīrtinam: famed/glorious
• kīrtinam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kīrtin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• pāpa-nāśanam: sin-destroying
• pāpa-nāśanam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāpa (प्रातिपदिक) + nāśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘पापस्य नाशनम्’ = destroyer of sin)

• sarva-vrata-uttamam: best of all vows
• sarva-vrata-uttamam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘सर्वेषां व्रतानाम् उत्तमम्’ = best among all vows)

• vipra: O brāhmaṇa
• vipra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• tataḥ: therefore
• tataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्-अर्थे (consequential adverb) ‘therefore/from that’

• jñeyam: should be known
• jñeyam: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘should be known’

• mahā-phalam: great result
• mahā-phalam: Karma (कर्म/That which is known/characterized)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (‘महच्च तत् फलम्’ = great fruit/result)

Speaker

Narada (addressing a brāhmaṇa interlocutor within the Narada–Sanatkumara teaching frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It elevates a particular three-day observance as exceptionally efficacious: easy to complete, capable of destroying sin (pāpa-nāśana), and therefore a source of great spiritual merit (mahā-phala).

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By praising a short, accessible vrata that purifies sin, the verse supports bhakti-oriented practice: purification and disciplined observance make the mind fit for sustained devotion and remembrance of the Divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implicitly emphasized—specifically the idea of a time-bound vow (three days) whose correct performance and discipline are presented as central to obtaining the stated fruit.