Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta

Devanagari script

एकादश्यष्टमी षष्टी पौर्णमासी चतुर्द्दशी । अमावास्या तृतीया च ह्युपवासव्रतादिषु ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

ekādaśyaṣṭamī ṣaṣṭī paurṇamāsī caturddaśī | amāvāsyā tṛtīyā ca hyupavāsavratādiṣu || 3 ||

Translation

凡行斋戒、立誓（vrata）及诸般法行者，当取如是月日：一十一日（Ekādaśī）、八日（Aṣṭamī）、六日（Ṣaṣṭhī）、满月日（Paurṇamāsī）、十四日（Caturdaśī）、新月日（Amāvāsyā），并及三日（Tṛtīyā）。

Word by Word

• ekādaśī: the eleventh lunar day
• ekādaśī: Karta (कर्ता) / item in list
• Type: Noun
• Root: ekādaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; tithi-name

• aṣṭamī: the eighth lunar day
• aṣṭamī: Karta (कर्ता) / item in list
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭamī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; tithi-name

• ṣaṣṭī: the sixth lunar day
• ṣaṣṭī: Karta (कर्ता) / item in list
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣaṣṭī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; tithi-name

• paurṇamāsī: full-moon day
• paurṇamāsī: Karta (कर्ता) / item in list
• Type: Noun
• Root: paurṇamāsī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; full-moon day

• caturdaśī: the fourteenth lunar day
• caturdaśī: Karta (कर्ता) / item in list
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturdaśī (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; tithi-name

• amāvāsyā: new-moon day
• amāvāsyā: Karta (कर्ता) / item in list
• Type: Noun
• Root: amāvāsyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; new-moon day

• tṛtīyā: the third lunar day
• tṛtīyā: Karta (कर्ता) / item in list
• Type: Noun
• Root: tṛtīyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; tithi-name

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis/indeed

• upavāsa-vrata-ādiṣu: in fasting-vows and the like
• upavāsa-vrata-ādiṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upavāsa (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Saptamī Bahuvacana; compound: upavāsa-vrata-ādi (fasting-vows etc.), locative plural

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: general upavāsa-vrata (fasting vows); includes Ekādaśī among recommended tithis

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It identifies specific lunar days (tithis) traditionally regarded as especially fit for upavāsa (fasting) and vrata (religious vows), implying that disciplined observance on these days supports purification and dharmic merit.

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

By pointing to tithis like Ekādaśī and Paurṇamāsī commonly used for worship and restraint, the verse frames bhakti as practiced through regulated devotion—fasting, vow-keeping, and worship performed on sacred calendrical times.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It relies on calendrical discipline—tithi-based timing of rites—closely connected with Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology/astronomy) for determining the correct lunar day for vows and fasts.