Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

The Exposition of the Dvādaśī Vow for the Twelve Months

Dvādaśī-vrata-nirṇaya and Mahā-dvādaśī Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

नानाभक्ष्यसमोपेतं सहिरण्यं स्वशक्तितः । ताम्रपात्रं गुडोपेतं तस्योपरि निवेशयेत् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

nānābhakṣyasamopetaṃ sahiraṇyaṃ svaśaktitaḥ | tāmrapātraṃ guḍopetaṃ tasyopari niveśayet || 4 ||

Translation

应随自身能力备办供品，配以种种食物并佐以黄金；其上再安置一只盛有粗糖（jaggery）的铜器。

Word by Word

• nānā-bhakṣya-samopetam: furnished with various eatables
• nānā-bhakṣya-samopetam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā (अव्यय) + bhakṣya (प्रातिपदिक) + sam-upa-√i (धातु) → samopeta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कृदन्त: क्त (past passive participle) from sam-upa-√i (इ) ‘to be furnished/attended with’; समासः: नानाभक्ष्येण समोपेतम् (तत्पुरुष)

• sa-hiraṇyam: together with gold
• sa-hiraṇyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (उपसर्ग/अव्यय ‘with’) + hiraṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); अव्ययीभाव-समासः: सह हिरण्येन (with gold)

• sva-śaktitaḥ: according to one’s own capacity
• sva-śaktitaḥ: Hetu/Reason (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय) formed with तसिल् (-tas) ‘from/according to’; sense: ‘according to one’s own ability’ (स्वशक्त्या इति भावः)

• tāmra-pātram: a copper vessel
• tāmra-pātram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāmra (प्रातिपदिक) + pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय-समासः: ताम्रं पात्रम् (a copper vessel)

• guḍa-opetam: provided with jaggery
• guḍa-opetam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + upa-√i (धातु) → upeta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कृदन्त: क्त (PPP) from upa-√i; समासः: गुडेन उपेतम् (endowed with jaggery)

• tasya: of that (vessel/thing)
• tasya: Sambandha/Genitive (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• upari: on top/above
• upari: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: upari (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय); adverb/postposition meaning ‘above/on top’

• niveśayet: should place
• niveśayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√viś (विश्)
• Form: Verb (तिङन्त); विधिलिङ् (optative), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); causative not intended here; meaning ‘should place/arrange’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It teaches that ritual giving and offerings should be performed thoughtfully and proportionately—“according to one’s capacity”—using auspicious substances (gold, copper, jaggery, and foods) arranged in a proper sequence.

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

Bhakti is expressed here through careful preparation of naivedya/offerings: devotion is not only emotion but also disciplined service—offering what one can, with sincerity and proper ritual order.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) through precise instructions on materials and placement (vessels, substances, sequence), emphasizing correct observance rather than abstract theory.