Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1
The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months
Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas
सनातन उवाच । अथ व्रतानि द्वादश्याः कथयामि तवानघ । यानि कृत्वा नरो लोके विष्णोः प्रियतरो भवेत् ॥ १ ॥
sanātana uvāca | atha vratāni dvādaśyāḥ kathayāmi tavānagha | yāni kṛtvā naro loke viṣṇoḥ priyataro bhavet || 1 ||
സനാതനൻ പറഞ്ഞു— ഹേ അനഘാ! ഇനി ഞാൻ നിനക്കു ദ്വാദശിയിലെ വ്രതങ്ങൾ പറയുന്നു; അവ അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചാൽ മനുഷ്യൻ ഈ ലോകത്തിൽ വിഷ്ണുവിന് അത്യന്തം പ്രിയനാകും।
Sanātana
Vrata: Dvadashi (general Dvādaśī vows)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It introduces Dvādaśī-vratas as a direct means of increasing one’s dearness to Lord Viṣṇu, framing ritual observance as an expression of bhakti with tangible spiritual fruit.
Bhakti is presented as practical devotion: by undertaking Viṣṇu-oriented vows on Dvādaśī, a devotee cultivates intimacy and favor with Viṣṇu, not merely abstract knowledge.
It points to calendrical/ritual timing based on tithi (lunar day)—a Panchāṅga-based application aligned with Jyotiṣa/Vedāṅga usage for determining Dvādaśī observances.