Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26

The Pañcarātra Vow (Haripañcaka Vrata): Observance from Śukla Ekādaśī to Pūrṇimā

Devanagari script

व्रतमेतत्प्रकर्त्तव्यमिच्छद्भिर्मोक्षमुत्तम् । समस्तपापकान्तारदावानलसमं द्विज ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

vratametatprakarttavyamicchadbhirmokṣamuttam | samastapāpakāntāradāvānalasamaṃ dvija || 26 ||

Translation

ਹੇ ਦ੍ਵਿਜ! ਜੋ ਉੱਤਮ ਮੋਖ਼ਸ਼ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਵਰਤ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ; ਇਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਦੇ ਜੰਗਲ ਨੂੰ ਸਾੜਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਦਾਵਾਨਲ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੈ।

Word by Word

• vratam: vow
• vratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular)

• etat: this
• etat: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of 'vratam'

• prakartavyam: should be performed
• prakartavyam: Vidhi (विधि/obligation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra√kṛ (धातु) + tavya (कृत्-प्रत्यय; कर्तव्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative), कर्तव्यतार्थक (gerundive: 'to be done')

• icchadbhiḥ: by those desiring
• icchadbhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: icchat (कृदन्त; √iṣ, शतृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्तृवाचक-विशेषण (describing the doers)

• mokṣam: liberation
• mokṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• uttam: supreme
• uttam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण of 'mokṣam'

• samasta-pāpa-kāntāra-dāvānala-samam: like a forest-fire to the entire forest of sins
• samasta-pāpa-kāntāra-dāvānala-samam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samasta (प्रातिपदिक) + pāpa (प्रातिपदिक) + kāntāra (प्रातिपदिक) + dāvānala (प्रातिपदिक) + sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; उपमान-विशेषण (comparative qualifier): 'समस्तपापकान्तारस्य दावानल इव'

• dvija: O twice-born (brahmin)
• dvija: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Haripañcaka (implied: 'this vow')

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It declares that a properly observed vrata is not merely merit-making but a moksha-oriented discipline, capable of consuming accumulated sin (pāpa) as decisively as a forest-fire consumes a dry woodland.

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

By urging seekers of liberation to adopt the prescribed vow, the verse supports the Narada Purana’s bhakti-centered ethic: disciplined observance done in a devotional spirit becomes a direct purifier that prepares the mind for liberation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes kalpa-style practical ritual discipline—how to undertake a vrata for spiritual results—rather than technical Vedanga topics like vyākaraṇa or jyotiṣa.