Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

उपोष्या द्वादशी शुद्धा सर्वैरेव न संशयः । केचिदाहुश्च पूर्वां तु तन्मतं न समंजसम् ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

upoṣyā dvādaśī śuddhā sarvaireva na saṃśayaḥ | kecidāhuśca pūrvāṃ tu tanmataṃ na samaṃjasam || 54 ||

Translation

清净的十二日（Dvādaśī）确应作为斋戒之日——对此诸家权威皆无疑惑。只是有人说应取前一日；但此见并不相应、不够圆满。

Word by Word

• upoṣyā: to be fasted (on)
• upoṣyā: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-vas (धातु) + ya (क्तव्य/यत्-प्रत्यय; gerundive sense)
• Form: Kṛdanta (gerundive/obligative), Strīliṅga (f.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana (sg.)

• dvādaśī: Dvādaśī
• dvādaśī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana (sg.)

• śuddhā: pure/untainted
• śuddhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana (sg.); viśeṣaṇa

• sarvaiḥ: by all
• sarvaiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.) (generic), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instr. 3rd), Bahuvacana (pl.)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; avadhāraṇa-nipāta

• na: no/not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; niṣedha-nipāta

• saṃśayaḥ: doubt
• saṃśayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃśaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana (sg.)

• kecit: some (people)
• kecit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kecit (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.) (common), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1st), Bahuvacana (pl.)

• āhuḥ: say
• āhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ah (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (Perfect), Parasmaipada; Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana (pl.)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; samuccaya-nipāta

• pūrvām: the earlier (tithi)
• pūrvām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Acc. 2nd), Ekavacana (sg.); tithi-śabda implied

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; virodha/avadhāraṇa-nipāta (but/however)

• tat: that
• tat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā/Dvitīyā (Nom./Acc.), Ekavacana (sg.); viśeṣaṇa ‘that’

• matam: opinion/view
• matam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mata (प्रातिपदिक; √man + kta ‘thought/opinion’)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana (sg.)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; niṣedha-nipāta

• samaṃjasam: proper/consistent
• samaṃjasam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samaṃjasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana (sg.); vidheyaviśeṣaṇa

Speaker

Sage Narada (teaching in a vrata/ritual context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ekadashi (contextual; Dvādaśī fasting rule)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

FAQs

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

It stresses correct observance of the Vaiṣṇava vow by insisting on śuddha Dvādaśī for fasting, implying that dharma is protected by precise adherence to proper tithi.

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

By prioritizing the properly determined Dvādaśī fast, it frames devotion as disciplined worship—bhakti expressed through accurate vrata practice rather than personal preference.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects calendrical/tithi determination used in ritual decision-making (a practical application aligned with Jyotiṣa-style timekeeping for vrata observance).