Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 68
The Explanation of the Twelve-Month Caturthī Vrata
बन्धुभिः सह भुंजीत स्वयं च प्रीतमानसः । एतद्व्रतं नरः कृत्वा भुक्त्वा भोगानिहोत्तमान् ॥ ६८ ॥
bandhubhiḥ saha bhuṃjīta svayaṃ ca prītamānasaḥ | etadvrataṃ naraḥ kṛtvā bhuktvā bhogānihottamān || 68 ||
तो बंधूंंसह भोजन करावा आणि स्वतःही प्रसन्नचित्त राहावा. हे व्रत केल्याने मनुष्य या लोकी उत्तम भोगांचा आनंद घेतो.
Narada (teaching within a vrata-vidhi context; dialogic frame traditionally Narada ↔ Sanatkumara-s)
Vrata: Vara-vrata (implied by continuation into 113.69)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that a vow (vrata) is not only external austerity but also inner disposition—performing the observance with harmony (sharing with one’s bandhu-s) and a pleased mind is integral to its merit and results.
By emphasizing prīta-mānasa (a joyful, content heart), it aligns with bhakti’s core mood: offerings and observances become spiritually potent when done with gladness rather than resentment or pride.
It reflects Kalpa-style ritual discipline (vrata-vidhi) concerning bhojana-niyama (rules of eating/partaking) and the ethical-social dimension of ritual—sharing food and maintaining sattvika mental conduct.