Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
The Narration of the Navamī Vow Observed Across the Twelve Months
अशक्तश्चैकभक्तं वै मध्याह्नोत्सवतः परम् । विप्रान्संभोज्य मिष्टान्नै रामप्रीति सुमाचरेत् ॥ ३ ॥
aśaktaścaikabhaktaṃ vai madhyāhnotsavataḥ param | viprānsaṃbhojya miṣṭānnai rāmaprīti sumācaret || 3 ||
Sesiapa yang tidak mampu melaksanakan amalan penuh hendaklah, selepas perayaan tengah hari, memegang vrata makan sekali sahaja; dan setelah menjamu para brāhmaṇa dengan makanan manis dengan penuh hormat, hendaklah ia mengamalkannya dengan baik demi keredaan Śrī Rāma.
Narada
Vrata: Śrī-Rāmanavamī-vrata (contextual continuation)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sincere devotion can be maintained even with a simplified observance: if one cannot do everything, one may keep ekabhakta and offer charitable hospitality to brāhmaṇas, dedicating the act to Rāma’s pleasure.
Bhakti here is expressed through intention and dedication (rāma-prīti): regulated living (one meal) and service (feeding others) become devotional acts when performed as worship rather than mere social duty.
It reflects kalpa/prayoga (ritual procedure): timing after midday rites, a specific dietary rule (ekabhakta), and the prescribed act of honoring brāhmaṇas with suitable offerings such as miṣṭānna.