Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 104

Dvādaśī-vrata: Month-by-month Viṣṇu Worship and the Year-End Udyāpana

Devanagari script

अनेनोपायनं दत्त्वा प्रार्थयेमाञ्जलिः स्थितः । आधाय जानुनी भूमौ विनयावननतो व्रती ॥ १०४ ॥

Transliteration

anenopāyanaṃ dattvā prārthayemāñjaliḥ sthitaḥ | ādhāya jānunī bhūmau vinayāvananato vratī || 104 ||

Translation

既已奉献此礼（upāyana），持戒行愿者当合掌而立，陈述所求；并双膝着地，谦恭俯伏，恳切祈请。

Word by Word

• अनेन: with this
• अनेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3/करण), एकवचन; सर्वनाम; Instrumental singular ‘with/by this’

• उपायनम्: offering
• उपायनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपायन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative neuter singular

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (अव्यय-भावे), ‘having given’; √दा—‘to give’; Gerund/absolutive

• प्रार्थयेम: we should pray/request
• प्रार्थयेम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्थ् (धातु) (प्र + अर्थ्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (सम्भावना/आशीर्लिङ्-प्रायः), उत्तमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्; √अर्थ् (प्रार्थयति)—‘to request/pray’

• अञ्जलिः: folded hands (añjali)
• अञ्जलिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/कर्ता), एकवचन; Nominative masculine singular

• स्थितः: standing
• स्थितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (भूतकृदन्त/कृदन्त-विशेषण), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; √स्था—‘to stand’; ‘standing/being positioned’

• आधाय: having placed
• आधाय: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु) (आ + धा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (अव्यय-भावे), ‘having placed’; √धा—‘to place’; Gerund

• जानुनी: (one’s) two knees
• जानुनी: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), द्विवचन; Accusative neuter dual ‘the two knees’

• भूमौ: on the ground
• भूमौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7/अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative feminine singular

• विनयावननतः: bowed down with humility
• विनयावननतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनय (प्रातिपदिक) + अवनत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः—विनयेन अवनतः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः); Nominative masculine singular

• व्रती: the vow-observer (devotee)
• व्रती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रतिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/कर्ता), एकवचन; Nominative masculine singular

Speaker

Narada (teaching vrata-vidhi in dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that a vow (vrata) is fulfilled not only by giving gifts but by approaching the divine and elders with vinaya—humility expressed through añjali, kneeling, and respectful bowing.

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

Bhakti is shown as reverent surrender: after offering (upāyana), the devotee prays with folded hands and a bowed posture, indicating dependence on grace rather than entitlement.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual protocol (prayoga) within vrata practice—proper bodily gestures (añjali, pranāma, kneeling) and sequencing (dāna first, then prārthanā), a key practical takeaway for dharmic rites.