The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months
Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas
चैत्रस्य शुक्लद्वादश्यां मदनव्रतमाचरेत् । स्थापयेदव्रणं कुंभं सिततंदुलपूरितम् ॥ २ ॥
caitrasya śukladvādaśyāṃ madanavratamācaret | sthāpayedavraṇaṃ kuṃbhaṃ sitataṃdulapūritam || 2 ||
No Śukla Dvādaśī (Dvādaśī da quinzena clara) do mês de Caitra, deve-se observar o Madana-vrata. Deve-se colocar um kumbha (vaso sagrado) sem defeito, cheio de arroz branco.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: Madana-vrata
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
It establishes the exact sacred timing (Caitra Śukla Dvādaśī) and the foundational ritual symbol (a spotless kumbha with white rice), emphasizing purity, auspiciousness, and disciplined vrata-practice as a means to gain devotional merit.
By prescribing a vrata with careful purity and offerings, the verse frames bhakti as expressed through regulated worship—devotion made tangible through time, cleanliness, and reverent ritual preparation.
Kalā/astronomical time-reckoning and ritual calendrics are implied through the precise tithi instruction (Śukla Dvādaśī of Caitra), reflecting Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa-style attention to auspicious timing for religious observances.