Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
द्वादशमासेषु अष्टमी-व्रत-कथनम्
Account of the Aṣṭamī Vow Across the Twelve Months
स विमानेन चरति गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणैः । शुक्लाष्टम्यां तथाऽषाढे स्नात्वा चैव निशांबुना ॥ ९ ॥
sa vimānena carati gandharvāpsarasāṃ gaṇaiḥ | śuklāṣṭamyāṃ tathā'ṣāḍhe snātvā caiva niśāṃbunā || 9 ||
Dia berkelana dengan vimāna, ditemani rombongan Gandharva dan Apsarā, setelah mandi—pada Aṣṭamī dalam paruh terang bulan Āṣāḍha—dengan air malam yang suci.
Narada (teaching within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
The verse states a phala (result): performing the prescribed bath on Śukla Aṣṭamī in Āṣāḍha using niśāmbu brings exalted, celestial enjoyment—symbolized by travel in a vimāna with Gandharvas and Apsarases—indicating accrued punya from disciplined observance.
While it is framed as a ritual merit, it supports bhakti indirectly by emphasizing faithful adherence to sacred timings (tithi) and purity-practices; such vrata-style discipline is presented in the Purāṇic tradition as a supportive limb that prepares the devotee for sustained worship and higher devotion.
It highlights calendrical discipline—tithi (Śukla Aṣṭamī) and māsa (Āṣāḍha)—which aligns with Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology/astronomy) used to determine proper ritual times, along with basic snāna-vidhi (ritual bathing practice).