Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

The Exposition of the Contents (Anukramaṇī) of the Bhaviṣya Purāṇa

Devanagari script

संस्काराणां च सर्वेषां लक्षणं चात्र कीर्तितम् । पक्षस्यादितिथीनां च कल्पाः सप्त च कीर्तिताः ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

saṃskārāṇāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ lakṣaṇaṃ cātra kīrtitam | pakṣasyāditithīnāṃ ca kalpāḥ sapta ca kīrtitāḥ || 8 ||

Translation

هنا وُصِفَت السماتُ المميِّزة لجميع السَّمْسْكارا (الطقوس التطهيرية/الأسرارية). كما بُيِّنَت سبعةُ «كَلْبَات» تتعلّق بالنصف الشهري (پكشا) وبالتِّثي القمرية ابتداءً من التِّثي الأولى.

Word by Word

• संस्काराणाम्: of the rites/sacraments
• संस्काराणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine/Generic), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural); ‘संस्काराणाम्’ इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• लक्षणम्: the definition/characteristic
• लक्षणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (locative adverb: ‘here/in this [text]’)

• कीर्तितम्: has been described
• कीर्तितम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (agreeing with ‘लक्षणम्’); कर्मणि प्रयोगः: ‘has been described’

• पक्षस्य: of the fortnight
• पक्षस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• आदितिथीनाम्: of the initial lunar days (tithis)
• आदितिथीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि-तिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुषः: आद्याः तिथयः (beginning tithis)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• कल्पाः: arrangements/kalpas
• कल्पाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या-शब्दः (numeral used adjectivally), बहुवचनार्थे (qualifying plural ‘कल्पाः’)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• कीर्तिताः: have been described
• कीर्तिताः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन (agreeing with ‘कल्पाः’); कर्मणि प्रयोगः: ‘have been described’

Speaker

Suta (narrator) summarizing the contents in an anukramaṇikā manner

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It frames dharma as both inner refinement and outer discipline by pointing to saṃskāras (life-purifying rites) and time-based observances (tithi/pakṣa rules) as structured means for sanctifying human life.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct observance of saṃskāras and vrata timings, it supports sāttvika living and disciplined worship—conditions traditionally held to stabilize the mind for sustained bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and calendrical reckoning tied to tithi and pakṣa—key practical tools for performing saṃskāras and vratas at the proper times.