Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

आश्वायुज्यां कन्यकार्चा भूषावस्त्रधनादिभिः । कार्तिक्यां कुंकुमैश्चैव निशि दीपगणैरपि ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

āśvāyujyāṃ kanyakārcā bhūṣāvastradhanādibhiḥ | kārtikyāṃ kuṃkumaiścaiva niśi dīpagaṇairapi || 33 ||

Translation

Pada bulan Āśvayuja, hendaklah dilakukan pemujaan kepada para gadis suci (kanyā-arcā) dengan perhiasan, pakaian, harta dan pemberian seumpamanya. Pada bulan Kārtika, demikian juga, lakukan pemujaan dengan kunkuma (safron), serta pada waktu malam dengan deretan pelita yang banyak.

Word by Word

• आश्वायुज्याम्: in (the month of) Āśvāyuja (Āśvina)
• आश्वायुज्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्वायुजी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन; मास-नाम

• कन्यका-अर्चा: (there is) worship of maidens
• कन्यका-अर्चा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्यका (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st case); एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (worship of maidens/virgins)

• भूषा-वस्त्र-धन-आदिभिः: with ornaments, garments, wealth, etc.
• भूषा-वस्त्र-धन-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूषा (प्रातिपदिक) + वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + धन (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/सूचीसमास (ornaments + clothes + wealth etc.)

• कार्तिक्याम्: in (the month of) Kārtika
• कार्तिक्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तिकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन; मास-नाम

• कुंकुमैः: with saffron/vermilion
• कुंकुमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुंकुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (emphatic particle: indeed/only)

• निशि: at night
• निशि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन

• दीप-गणैः: with groups of lamps
• दीप-गणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (a multitude of lamps)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अतिशयार्थक (also/even)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on vrata and ritual observances)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Kārtika-dīpa-vrata / Dīpa-dāna (lamp offering in Kārtika) (implied)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It prescribes month-specific vrata practices: honoring purity and auspiciousness through kanyā-arcā in Āśvayuja, and increasing sattva and devotional merit through kuṃkuma offerings and night lamp-offerings in Kārtika.

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

By directing the devotee to tangible acts of reverence—worship, gifting, and deepa-dāna—it channels devotion into disciplined, calendar-based service that supports sustained bhakti through the year.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects calendrical and ritual application (linked to Jyotiṣa and Kalpa): choosing specific lunar months (Āśvayuja, Kārtika) and appropriate offerings (kuṃkuma, lamps) as part of vrata-vidhi.