Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

शिवव्रतं प्रकर्तव्यं धनसंतानमिच्छता । राधशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां श्रीनृसिंहव्रतं चरेत् ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

śivavrataṃ prakartavyaṃ dhanasaṃtānamicchatā | rādhaśuklacaturdaśyāṃ śrīnṛsiṃhavrataṃ caret || 8 ||

Translation

Quem deseja riqueza e descendência deve empreender o Śiva-vrata. E na Caturdaśī clara (quinzena luminosa) do mês de Rādhā, deve observar o voto sagrado de Śrī Nṛsiṃha.

Word by Word

• śiva-vratam: Śiva-vow
• śiva-vratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; ‘शिवस्य व्रतम्’

• prakartavyam: is to be performed
• prakartavyam: Kriyā (क्रिया/vidheya)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + kṛ (धातु) + tavya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: तव्यत्-कृदन्त (gerundive/future passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विधेय—‘कर्तव्यम्’ (to be done)

• dhana-saṃtānam: wealth and progeny
• dhana-saṃtānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana + saṃtāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; समाहारद्वन्द्व—‘धनं च सन्तानं च’ (wealth and progeny)

• icchatā: by one who desires
• icchatā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु) + śatṛ (कृत्)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; ‘इच्छन्’ (desiring)

• rādhā-śukla-caturdaśyām: on the Rādhā-Śukla fourteenth (tithi)
• rādhā-śukla-caturdaśyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rādhā + śukla + caturdaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; तिथिवाचक

• śrī-nṛsiṃha-vratam: the vow of Śrī Nṛsiṃha
• śrī-nṛsiṃha-vratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī + nṛsiṃha + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; ‘श्रीनृसिंहस्य व्रतम्’

• caret: should observe/practise
• caret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: car (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śiva-vrata; Śrī Nṛsiṃha-vrata

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: artha (worldly aim)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nrsimha
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It links specific vows (vratas) with desired life-goals—wealth and continuity of lineage—showing the Purana’s vrata-vidhi approach where disciplined worship and tithi-observance are presented as dharmic means to obtain both worldly welfare and spiritual merit.

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

Bhakti is expressed here as structured devotion: undertaking Śiva worship as a vrata and performing Śrī Nṛsiṃha worship on an auspicious lunar day, emphasizing faith expressed through regular, rule-bound observance rather than mere sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights calendrical ritual timing—tithi (caturdaśī) and śukla pakṣa—reflecting Jyotiṣa-style time-reckoning used to schedule vratas and maximize ritual propriety (vidhi).