Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
The Exposition of the Saptamī Vow Observed Across Twelve Months
Saptamī-vrata-prakāśana
निंबपत्रैः स्मृता पूजा भास्करस्य द्विजोत्तम । खखोल्कायेति मंत्रेण प्रणवाद्येन नारद ॥ १९ ॥
niṃbapatraiḥ smṛtā pūjā bhāskarasya dvijottama | khakholkāyeti maṃtreṇa praṇavādyena nārada || 19 ||
హే ద్విజోత్తమా! భాస్కరుని పూజ నింబపత్రాలతో చేయాలని స్మృతిలో చెప్పబడింది. హే నారదా! ప్రణవ ‘ఓం’తో ప్రారంభమై ‘ఖఖోల్కాయ’ మంత్రంతో చేయాలి।
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It prescribes a specific, tradition-backed method of Sun-worship—using neem leaves and a pranava-led mantra—showing that devotion is strengthened when performed with correct ritual elements (dravya) and mantra.
Bhakti here is expressed through disciplined pūjā to Bhāskara, where reverence is joined with mantra-recitation beginning with Oṃ, indicating worship that unites faith with sacred sound.
Mantra-prayoga (practical application of mantra) and correct ritual procedure are emphasized; the instruction “praṇavādyena” reflects attention to phonetic/recitational order associated with Śikṣā and ritual discipline.