Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
The Exposition of the Pratipadā Vrata for the Twelve Months
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां निदानं परमं व्रतम् । सोमवारं समारभ्य सार्धमासत्रयं द्विज ॥ २० ॥
dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ nidānaṃ paramaṃ vratam | somavāraṃ samārabhya sārdhamāsatrayaṃ dvija || 20 ||
Ó dvija, este voto supremo é a fonte mais elevada de dharma, artha, kāma e mokṣa. Começa-o numa segunda-feira e observa-o por três meses e meio.
Narada
Vrata: none (a ‘parama vrata’ described, not explicitly named here)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It presents a specific vrata as “supreme” because it is said to generate all four human aims—righteous living, prosperity, rightful enjoyment, and liberation—showing vow-observance as a complete spiritual discipline.
By elevating vrata to the status of a direct cause of mokṣa, the verse supports the Purāṇic model where disciplined observances (typically performed with devotion and remembrance of the deity) become a practical container for bhakti and inner purification.
It emphasizes ritual timing and calendrical discipline—starting specifically on a Monday and keeping the observance for a defined duration—reflecting applied jyotiṣa-style scheduling and vrata-vidhi precision.