Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74
Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam
The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya
पानीयदाननिरता येऽन्नदानरतास्तथा । एकादशीव्रतरता ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ७४ ॥
pānīyadānaniratā ye'nnadānaratāstathā | ekādaśīvrataratā te vai bhāgavatottamāḥ || 74 ||
குடிநீர் தானத்தில் ஈடுபட்டு, அன்னதானத்தில் மகிழ்ந்து, ஏகாதசி விரதத்தில் உறுதியாக இருப்போர்—அவர்களே பகவானின் பக்தர்களில் உத்தமர் ஆவர்.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Narada Purana dialogue frame)
Vrata: Ekādaśī
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It defines “bhāgavatottama” not merely by belief but by lived devotion—serving beings through essential charity (water and food) and honoring Viṣṇu through Ekādaśī-vrata.
Bhakti is shown as both worship and compassion: Ekādaśī aligns the devotee with Bhagavān, while water- and food-giving express devotion as selfless service (sevā) to living beings.
The observance of Ekādaśī relies on calendrical timing from Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astronomy/astrology) to identify the lunar tithi correctly, integrating ritual discipline with sacred timekeeping.