Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 78
The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months
Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas
प्रतिमासं ततः शुक्लेद्वादश्यां दानमाचरेत् । घृतप्रस्थं तच्चतुष्कं क्रमाद्वीहेर्यवस्य च ॥ ७८ ॥
pratimāsaṃ tataḥ śukledvādaśyāṃ dānamācaret | ghṛtaprasthaṃ taccatuṣkaṃ kramādvīheryavasya ca || 78 ||
Sesudah itu, setiap bulan pada Dvādaśī dalam paruh terang, hendaklah dilakukan sedekah. Hendaklah didermakan satu prastha ghee (ghṛta), dan demikian juga empat sukatan menurut tertib—beras dan barli (yava) juga.
Sage Nārada (continuing the instructional narration within the Anukramaṇikā-style section)
Vrata: monthly Dvādaśī dāna (as part of an ongoing vrata regimen; specific vrata-name not stated here)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames disciplined, recurring dāna (charity) on Śukla-Dvādaśī as a dharmic practice that purifies one’s livelihood and sustains religious merit through regularity rather than occasional giving.
By prescribing offerings of staple, sattvic foods (ghee, rice, barley) on an auspicious Vaiṣṇava tithi (Dvādaśī), it supports devotion through service and generosity—practical bhakti expressed as care for others and honoring sacred time.
It applies calendrical discipline (tithi-based observance—Dvādaśī in Śukla pakṣa) and traditional metrology (prastha as a ritual measure), reflecting applied Jyotiṣa (time-reckoning) and Kalpa-style ritual procedure.