Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

Dhvaja-Dhāraṇa Mahātmyam: Sumati–Satyamatī, Humility, and Deliverance by Hari’s Messengers

Devanagari script

सोऽपि राजा महाभागो द्वादशीद्धादशीदिने । ध्वजमारोपयत्येव मनोज्ञं बहुविस्तरम् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

so'pi rājā mahābhāgo dvādaśīddhādaśīdine | dhvajamāropayatyeva manojñaṃ bahuvistaram || 12 ||

Translation

Esse rei afortunado também, no dia de Dvādaśī (o décimo segundo lunar), mandou erguer um estandarte agradável, largo e amplamente estendido.

Word by Word

• saḥ: He
• saḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• api: also/even
• api: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• rājā: King
• rājā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mahābhāgaḥ: illustrious/fortunate
• mahābhāgaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahābhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• dvādaśī: Twelfth (lunar day)
• dvādaśī: Adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative/Locative (context dependent), Singular

• dvādaśīdine: on the day of Dvadashi
• dvādaśīdine: Adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśīdina (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• dhvajam: flag/banner
• dhvajam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• āropayati: hoists/raises
• āropayati: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ruh (धातु) + ā (prefix)
• Form: Causative, Lat Lakara (Present), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• manojñam: beautiful/charming
• manojñam: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manojña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• bahuvistaram: extensive/grand
• bahuvistaram: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahuvistara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Narada (narration within the dialogue tradition of Narada Purana; exact interlocutor not stated in this single verse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Dvadashi observance (Dvādaśī-vrata context implied)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• King

FAQs

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

It highlights a concrete ritual marker of vrata-dharma: on Dvādaśī, the devotee-king publicly elevates devotion by hoisting a sacred banner, signaling commitment, auspiciousness, and worship conducted with order and reverence.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through visible, disciplined service—performing time-specific observances (tithi-based worship) and offering honor through ceremonial acts like dhvaja-ārohaṇa, which supports sustained devotion beyond mere sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Jyotiṣa-based calendrical discipline (tithi observance): choosing Dvādaśī for a specific rite shows practical application of lunar-day timing central to vrata performance.