Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9

The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

उपवासविधानेन शक्तोऽशक्तस्तथैकभुक् । निशागमे तु संपूज्य नृसिंहं दैत्यसूदनम् ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

upavāsavidhānena śakto'śaktastathaikabhuk | niśāgame tu saṃpūjya nṛsiṃhaṃ daityasūdanam || 9 ||

Translation

Maging may kakayahan man o wala, dapat sundin ang pag-aayuno ayon sa itinakdang paraan, o kahit man lamang ay kumain nang minsan; at pagdating ng gabi, dapat sambahin nang ganap si Narasiṃha, ang tagapagpuksa ng mga asura.

Word by Word

• upavāsa-vidhānena: by the fasting procedure
• upavāsa-vidhānena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upavāsa + vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; ‘उपवासस्य विधानम्’ (rule/method of fasting)

• śaktaḥ: able
• śaktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; विशेषण (able)

• aśaktaḥ: unable
• aśaktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-śakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; विशेषण (unable)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (adverb: likewise/so)

• eka-bhuk: one who eats once (a day)
• eka-bhuk: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: eka + bhuj (धातु) → bhuk (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; ‘एकवारं भुङ्क्ते’ (one who eats once)

• niśā-game: at nightfall
• niśā-game: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśā + gama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• tu: then/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अन्वय/विरोधार्थक अव्यय (particle)

• saṃpūjya: having worshipped fully
• saṃpūjya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + pūj (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वक्रिया; ‘सम्यक् पूज्य’ (having duly worshipped)

• nṛsiṃham: Nṛsiṃha
• nṛsiṃham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛsiṃha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• daitya-sūdanam: slayer of demons
• daitya-sūdanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daitya + sūdana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘दैत्यानां सूदनः’ (slayer of demons)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śrī Nṛsiṃha-vrata (contextual)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Narasimha
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches disciplined vrata-practice with compassionate flexibility: if full fasting is not possible, a single meal is acceptable, yet devotion culminates in sincere worship of Narasiṃha at night.

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

Bhakti is expressed through concrete observance—fasting (or reduced eating) and timely pūjā—directed to Narasiṃha, emphasizing heartfelt worship over rigid austerity alone.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa-style ritual procedure: rule-based vrata observance (upavāsa-vidhi), allowance for eligibility (śakta/aśakta), and the specified timing of worship (niśāgama—nightfall).