Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

भाद्रशुक्लत्रयोदश्यां गोत्रिरात्रव्रतं स्मृतम् । लक्ष्मीनारायणं कृत्वा सौवर्णं वापि राजतम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

bhādraśuklatrayodaśyāṃ gotrirātravrataṃ smṛtam | lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṃ kṛtvā sauvarṇaṃ vāpi rājatam || 33 ||

Translation

Pada hari bulan ketiga belas (trayodaśī) dalam paruh terang bulan Bhādrapada, ditetapkanlah nazar yang dikenali sebagai “nazar tiga malam”. Hendaklah dibuat arca Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa, sama ada daripada emas atau perak.

Word by Word

• bhādra-śukla-trayodaśyām: on Bhādra bright-fortnight’s 13th day
• bhādra-śukla-trayodaśyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhādra (प्रातिपदिक) + śukla (प्रातिपदिक) + trayodaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th), Singular; tatpuruṣa chain: ‘on the trayodaśī of the bright fortnight of Bhādra’ (कालाधिकरण)

• go-tri-rātra-vratam: the Go-trirātra vow
• go-tri-rātra-vratam: Karta (कर्ता; predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक) + tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + rātra (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘vow of three nights (tri-rātra) with cows (go-)’ (name of vow)

• smṛtam: is said/remembered (as)
• smṛtam: Kriya (क्रिया; passive predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Nominative, Singular; ‘is remembered/declared’

• lakṣmī-nārāyaṇam: Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa (as a form/image)
• lakṣmī-nārāyaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक) + nārāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; dvandva (itaretara) used as deity-pair name; object of kṛtvā

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriya (क्रिया; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त), having made/constructed

• sauvarṇam: golden
• sauvarṇam: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sauvarṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies implied ‘pratimā/arcā’

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, disjunctive particle (विकल्प)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात) meaning ‘also/even’

• rājatam: silver (made of silver)
• rājatam: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies implied ‘pratimā/arcā’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: gotrirātra-vrata (three-night vow)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmi
• Narayana
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It establishes an auspicious calendrical moment (Bhādrapada Śukla Trayodaśī) for undertaking a disciplined three-night vow centered on Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa, linking vrata (self-restraint) with devotional worship and sacred giving.

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

Bhakti is expressed through concrete worship: honoring Vishnu together with Lakshmi and preparing an image for veneration, showing devotion as reverent service (sevā) supported by purity, vow-observance, and offering.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalā/ritual timing and calendrical discipline are implied: the tithi (Trayodaśī) and lunar fortnight (Śukla pakṣa) guide correct observance, reflecting applied jyotiṣa-based scheduling used in vrata-vidhi.