Shloka 11

Pūjādi-kathana — Gaṅgā Vratas, Tenfold Worship, Stotra, and Mokṣa on the Riverbank

Devanagari script

उपवासाद्वारं भैक्ष्यं भैक्ष्याद्वरमयाचितम् । अयाचिताद्वारं नक्तं तस्मान्नक्तं समाचरेत् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

upavāsādvāraṃ bhaikṣyaṃ bhaikṣyādvaramayācitam | ayācitādvāraṃ naktaṃ tasmānnaktaṃ samācaret || 11 ||

Translation

ഉപവാസത്തേക്കാൾ ഭിക്ഷാജീവനം ശ്രേഷ്ഠം; ഭിക്ഷയേക്കാൾ ചോദിക്കാതെ ലഭിക്കുന്നതു (അയാചിതം) സ്വീകരിക്കൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠം. അയാചിതത്തേക്കാൾ പോലും നക്തവ്രതം ഉത്തമം; അതിനാൽ നക്തം ആചരിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• उपवासात्: than fasting
• उपवासात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Source-Comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; Ablative singular

• वरम्: better
• वरम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; used predicatively ‘better’

• भैक्ष्यम्: alms-food/begged food
• भैक्ष्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; Nom/Acc singular

• भैक्ष्यात्: than alms-food
• भैक्ष्यात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; Ablative singular

• वरम्: better
• वरम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicative ‘better’

• अयाचितम्: unsolicited (food)
• अयाचितम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-याचित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; याच् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle) used substantively: ‘unsolicited (food)’

• अयाचितात्: than unsolicited (food)
• अयाचितात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-याचित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; याच् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; Ablative singular

• वरम्: better
• वरम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicative ‘better’

• नक्तम्: night-meal observance (nakta)
• नक्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘night-meal/one meal at night’

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: हेतु/निबन्धन (Hetu/Reason)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; Ablative singular used as discourse connector ‘therefore/from that’

• नक्तम्: nakta observance
• नक्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• समाचरेत्: should practice
• समाचरेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; ‘should practice’

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Dharma/Vrata context; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara lineages in the Narada Purana)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Nakta (night-meal observance)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches a graded refinement of austerity: moving from mere abstention (fasting) toward disciplined, non-demanding livelihood and regulated consumption, culminating in nakta as a balanced, sustainable tapas.

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

By recommending restraint and contentment (accepting what comes without insistence), it supports a sattvic life that steadies the mind—an essential foundation for sustained Vishnu-bhakti and regular worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It mainly reflects Kalpa (ritual discipline) through vrata-vidhi and niyamas—practical rules for regulated eating and conduct rather than grammar or astrology.