Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta

Devanagari script

तस्यां तु तद्वतं कार्यं सैव कार्या विचक्षणैः । उदयव्यापिनी ग्राह्या श्रवणद्वादशी व्रते ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

tasyāṃ tu tadvataṃ kāryaṃ saiva kāryā vicakṣaṇaiḥ | udayavyāpinī grāhyā śravaṇadvādaśī vrate || 18 ||

Translation

ആ തിഥിയിലേ തന്നെ അതേ വ്രതം ചെയ്യേണ്ടതാണ്; വിവേകികൾ ആ ദിവസത്തിൽ തന്നേ അത് അനുഷ്ഠിക്കണം. ശ്രവണ-ദ്വാദശീ വ്രതത്തിൽ സൂര്യോദയം വരെ വ്യാപിക്കുന്ന (ഉദയ-വ്യാപിനി) ദ്വാദശിയേ സ്വീകരിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• तस्याम्: on that (tithi)
• तस्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); विरोध/विशेषार्थक

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• व्रतम्: vow
• व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; कर्मपद (object)

• कार्यम्: should be performed
• कार्यम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (Gerundive/यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय (to be done)

• सा: that (same)
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृपद (subject)

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis)

• कार्या: is to be done
• कार्या: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (Gerundive/यत्), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय

• विचक्षणैः: by the discerning (people)
• विचक्षणैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; कर्तृ/सहकारि (agent/instrumental of agency)

• उदयव्यापिनी: spanning sunrise (extending through dawn)
• उदयव्यापिनी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदयव्यापिन् (प्रातिपदिक; उदय+व्यापिन्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• ग्राह्या: should be accepted/observed
• ग्राह्या: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (Gerundive/यत्), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय

• श्रवणद्वादशी: the Śravaṇa-dvādaśī (Dvādashi with Śravaṇa nakṣatra)
• श्रवणद्वादशी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवणद्वादशी (प्रातिपदिक; श्रवण+द्वादशी)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृ/विषय (topic)

• व्रते: in the vow/observance
• व्रते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śravaṇa-dvādaśī-vrata

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It emphasizes disciplined, accurate observance of a Vaiṣṇava vrata: spiritual merit depends not only on devotion but also on correct timing (tithi-nirṇaya), especially for Śravaṇa Dvādaśī.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through faithful vrata-practice; the verse teaches that a devotee should follow the śāstric rule—accepting the Dvādaśī that touches sunrise—so worship and fasting align with dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights calendrical/astronomical decision-making used in ritual timing (tithi determination)—a practical application associated with Jyotiṣa-based vrata scheduling (udaya-vyāpinī tithi rule).