Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 90

The Account of the Ekādaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

व्यायामं च प्रवासं च पुनर्भोजनमैथुने । अस्पृश्यस्पर्शमाशूरे द्वादश्यां द्वादश त्यजेत् ॥ ९० ॥

Transliteration

vyāyāmaṃ ca pravāsaṃ ca punarbhojanamaithune | aspṛśyasparśamāśūre dvādaśyāṃ dvādaśa tyajet || 90 ||

Translation

ദ്വാദശിയിൽ ജ്ഞാനി വ്യായാമം, യാത്ര, പുനർഭോജനം (വീണ്ടും ഭക്ഷണം), മൈഥുനം, അസ്പൃശ്യസ്പർശം—ഇവയെല്ലാം വർജിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• vyāyāmam: exercise
• vyāyāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyāyāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात) conjunction

• pravāsam: travel/being away from home
• pravāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pravāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात) conjunction

• punar-bhojana-maithune: re-eating and sexual intercourse (the two)
• punar-bhojana-maithune: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: punar + bhojana + maithuna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व) (itaretara) = punarbhojana + maithuna; Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Dvivacana (द्विवचन)

• aspṛśya-sparśam: touching the untouchable/impure
• aspṛśya-sparśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aspṛśya + sparśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) = aspṛśya-sparśa; Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• āśūre: on the swift (day)
• āśūre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āśu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana (एकवचन); used as day-epithet (locative)

• dvādaśyām: on the twelfth (lunar day)
• dvādaśyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• dvādaśa: twelve
• dvādaśa: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvādaśa (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: Saṅkhyā (संख्या), indeclinable-like numeral; qualifying (implicit) vastūni/varjyāṇi

• tyajet: should abandon
• tyajet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tyaj (त्यज् धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

Speaker

Narada (teaching Dvādaśī vrata-niyamas within the Purāṇic summary section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Dvādaśī (Ekādaśī-vrata continuation)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It frames Dvādaśī as a continuation and completion of Ekādaśī discipline: by avoiding exertion, indulgence, and impurity, the devotee preserves the fasting merit and keeps the mind steady for Viṣṇu-oriented worship.

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

Bhakti is supported by restraint (niyama): limiting travel, overeating, and sensuality reduces distraction, making remembrance and worship of Hari more consistent during the vrata’s concluding day.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects calendrical ritual discipline tied to tithi-observance (a Jyotiṣa-linked practice): specific actions are permitted or avoided on Dvādaśī to maintain vrata purity and proper completion of the observance.