Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 66

The Account of the Ekādaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

विसृज्य स्वयमश्नीयाच्छेषान्नं स्वेष्टबांधवैः । एवं कृतव्रतो विप्र भुक्वा भोगानिहेप्सितान् ॥ ६६ ॥

Transliteration

visṛjya svayamaśnīyāccheṣānnaṃ sveṣṭabāṃdhavaiḥ | evaṃ kṛtavrato vipra bhukvā bhogānihepsitān || 66 ||

Translation

เมื่อแจกจ่ายปราสาท/อาหารก่อนแล้ว จึงค่อยฉันเอง และให้อาหารที่เหลือแก่ญาติพี่น้องอันเป็นที่รัก โอ้พราหมณ์ ผู้ทำวัตรครบถ้วนเช่นนี้ย่อมเสวยสุขสมดังปรารถนาในโลกนี้

Word by Word

• visṛjya: having dismissed
• visṛjya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√sṛj (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय; 'having dismissed/sent away'

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (reflexive adverb): 'oneself'

• aśnīyāt: should eat
• aśnīyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √aś (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• śeṣa-annam: the remaining food
• śeṣa-annam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śeṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: शेषं यदन्नम्

• sva-iṣṭa-bāndhavaiḥ: with one’s dear relatives
• sva-iṣṭa-bāndhavaiḥ: Sahakārī (सहकारी/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + iṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + bāndhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; समासः: स्वस्य इष्टाः बान्धवाः (beloved relatives)

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• kṛta-vrataḥ: having performed the vow
• kṛta-vrataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः: कृतं व्रतं येन (one who has performed the vow)

• vipra: O Brahmin
• vipra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• bhuktvā: having enjoyed
• bhuktvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय

• bhogān: enjoyments
• bhogān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

• īpsitān: desired
• īpsitān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īpsita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; 'bhogān' इति विशेषणम्; √āp/√īps (to desire) से निष्पन्न

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Putradā Ekādaśī (concluding distribution/consumption step implied)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It frames vrata as a disciplined act of offering and sharing: distribution first, then personal consumption, and finally giving the remainder to family—linking austerity with generosity and right order (dharma).

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

By emphasizing orderly offering and respectful sharing of consecrated food, it supports a bhakti-oriented ethic where enjoyment is sanctioned only after proper religious observance and giving.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (kalpa/ācāra) is implied: the correct sequence of distribution, eating, and allocating leftovers, reflecting practical vrata-vidhi rather than grammar or astrology.