Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10
The Pañcarātra Vow (Haripañcaka Vrata): Observance from Śukla Ekādaśī to Pūrṇimā
वक्ष्यमाणेन मन्त्रेण ह्युपवासं समर्पयेत् । पञ्चरात्रं निराहारो ह्यद्यप्रभृति केशव ॥ १० ॥
vakṣyamāṇena mantreṇa hyupavāsaṃ samarpayet | pañcarātraṃ nirāhāro hyadyaprabhṛti keśava || 10 ||
பின்பு சொல்லப்படும் மந்திரத்தால் உபவாச விரதத்தை அர்ப்பணிக்க வேண்டும். “இன்றுமுதல், ஓ கேசவா, ஐந்து இரவுகள் நான் நிராஹாரமாக இருப்பேன்.”
Narada (instructional narration within a vrata context, addressed to Keśava as the deity of the vow)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that a fast is not merely physical restraint but a consecrated vow: the practitioner dedicates the upavāsa to Keśava through mantra, turning austerity into devotional offering (samarpana).
Bhakti is shown as intention-centered practice: the devotee addresses Keśava directly and offers the act of fasting to Him, making discipline an expression of loving surrender rather than self-powered merit alone.
Ritual application (kalpa-style practice) is emphasized: using a specific mantra for sankalpa/samarpana and defining the vrata’s duration (five nights) are procedural rules central to dharmic observance.