Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 32
The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras
भूताहे कृष्णपक्षस्य मध्यरात्रे तमोघने । स्नात्त्वा रक्ताम्बरधरो रक्तमाल्यानुलेपनः ॥ ३२ ॥
bhūtāhe kṛṣṇapakṣasya madhyarātre tamoghane | snāttvā raktāmbaradharo raktamālyānulepanaḥ || 32 ||
கிருஷ்ணபக்ஷத்தின் பூதாஹா திதியில், அடர்ந்த இருள் நிறைந்த நள்ளிரவில் நீராடி, சிவப்பு ஆடை அணிந்து, சிவப்பு மாலை மற்றும் சிவப்பு அனுலேபனம் பூச வேண்டும்।
Narada (instructional narration within the ritual/observance section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It prescribes a strict ritual discipline of time (midnight in the dark fortnight) and purity (bathing), using symbolic ritual markers (red clothing, garlands, and unguents) to focus intention and devotion during a powerful liminal period.
Bhakti here is expressed through regulated worship—external acts like bathing and wearing prescribed attire become supports for single-pointed remembrance and reverence during a carefully chosen sacred time.
Ritual timing and calendrical precision—observing the kṛṣṇa-pakṣa and the specified madhyarātra moment reflects applied jyotiṣa-style reckoning and kalpa-style procedure for correct performance.