Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26
Pūrṇimā-vrata (Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa-vrata): Observance, Moon Arghya, and Annual Udyāpana
पिधाय कुम्भं वस्त्रेण सुसूक्ष्मेणाति शोभितम् । हेम्ना वा रजतेनापि तथा ताम्रेण वा द्विज । लक्ष्मीनारायणं देवं कृत्वा तस्योपरि न्यसेत् ॥ २६ ॥
pidhāya kumbhaṃ vastreṇa susūkṣmeṇāti śobhitam | hemnā vā rajatenāpi tathā tāmreṇa vā dvija | lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ kṛtvā tasyopari nyaset || 26 ||
ജലപൂർണ്ണ കുംഭം അതിസൂക്ഷ്മവും മനോഹരമായി അലങ്കരിച്ചതുമായ വസ്ത്രംകൊണ്ട് മൂടി—അത് സ്വർണ്ണമോ വെള്ളിയോ ചെമ്പോ ആയാലും—ഹേ ദ്വിജാ, അതിനുമുകളിൽ ലക്ഷ്മീ-നാരായണ ദേവനെ പ്രതിഷ്ഠിച്ച് വെക്കണം।
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sacred worship begins with purity and auspicious arrangement: the kumbha serves as a sanctified base, and placing Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa upon it symbolizes invoking both divine protection (Nārāyaṇa) and prosperity-grace (Lakṣmī) into the rite.
Bhakti is expressed through reverent, careful service (upacāra): adorning the kumbha and installing Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa emphasizes loving attention, beauty, and honoring the Lord as personally present in the ritual.
It highlights ritual procedure and correct placement (kalasha-sthāpana/nyāsa) aligned with śrauta-smārta practice—practical know-how of ceremonial arrangement rather than grammar or astrology in this specific verse.