Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 162
The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras
सोष्णीषकंचुको विद्वान्कृष्णे भूते दिवानिशम् । उपवासी श्मशाने वा विपिने शून्यमंदिरे ॥ १६२ ॥
soṣṇīṣakaṃcuko vidvānkṛṣṇe bhūte divāniśam | upavāsī śmaśāne vā vipine śūnyamaṃdire || 162 ||
Seorang yang berilmu, berserban dan berbaju luar, hendaklah berpuasa siang dan malam pada hari gelap bulan yang disebut Kṛṣṇā-bhūtā—sama ada di tanah pembakaran mayat, di rimba, atau di kuil yang sunyi.
Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/vrata context; dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage implied for this section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It prescribes a severe vrata: sustained fasting through day and night in liminal places (cremation ground, forest, deserted shrine), emphasizing fearlessness, detachment, and disciplined ritual resolve.
While stated as an austerity rule, the underlying bhakti principle is single-pointed dedication—choosing restraint and sacred intent over comfort, which supports steadiness of mind for worship and remembrance.
It reflects tithi-based observance (time-discipline) and vrata procedure—how to structure an upavāsa across day and night and the prescribed setting—typical of technical dharma guidance aligned with Vedanga-style calendrical and ritual regulation.