Shloka 9

The Greatness of the Month of Māgha

Māgha-snāna, Harivāsara, and the Kāṣṭhīlā-Upākhyāna

Devanagari script

दुर्लभो वासरो विष्णोर्विधिना समुपोषितः । देवैस्तेजः परिक्षिप्तं माघमासे स्वकं जले ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

durlabho vāsaro viṣṇorvidhinā samupoṣitaḥ | devaistejaḥ parikṣiptaṃ māghamāse svakaṃ jale || 9 ||

Translation

Thật hiếm có ngày của Viṣṇu được giữ chay đúng theo pháp nghi. Trong tháng Māgha, việc tự mình tắm trong nước (thánh) được chư thiên bao bọc bằng hào quang thần diệu.

Word by Word

• दुर्लभः: rare
• दुर्लभः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वासरः: day
• वासरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विष्णोः: of Vishnu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• विधिना: according to rule/with proper rite
• विधिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; प्रकार/विधानवाचक

• सम्-उपोषितः: (is) duly fasted/observed
• सम्-उपोषितः: Kriyā (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् (उपसर्ग) + उपवस् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘उपोषित’ = fasted/observed a fast

• देवैः: by the gods
• देवैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• तेजः: splendor/energy
• तेजः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परि-क्षिप्तम्: surrounded/encircled
• परि-क्षिप्तम्: Kriyā (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि (उपसर्ग) + क्षिप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तेजः इति सहान्वय

• माघ-मासे: in the month of Māgha
• माघ-मासे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माघ (प्रातिपदिक) + मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: माघस्य मासे

• स्वकम्: one’s own
• स्वकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; जले इति विशेषण

• जले: in water
• जले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (teaching within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha/vrata discourse, traditionally in dialogue flow with Sanatkumara-lineage sages)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Viṣṇu-vrata day (likely Ekādaśī or a Viṣṇu-vāsara; not explicitly named)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Devas

FAQs

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

It elevates Māgha-month observances by declaring that a properly performed Viṣṇu-day fast and sacred bathing are rare, high-merit acts that become “filled with divine radiance,” indicating intensified puṇya and devotional efficacy.

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

Bhakti is shown as disciplined worship: honoring Viṣṇu through vidhi-based fasting and holy bathing, where the devotee’s embodied act (snāna in water) becomes sanctified and spiritually luminous through divine approval.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Jyotiṣa-style sacred timing are implied: observing the correct “day of Viṣṇu” with proper vidhi and emphasizing Māgha-māsa as an auspicious period for vrata and snāna.