Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

Jyotiṣa-śāstra Saṅgraha: Threefold Division, Gaṇita Methods, Muhūrta, and Planetary Reckoning

Devanagari script

वृत्तांगांशकृतिर्वेधनिप्रीयनकरामितौ । वारिव्यासहतं दैर्ध्यंवेधांगुलहतं पुनः ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

vṛttāṃgāṃśakṛtirvedhaniprīyanakarāmitau | vārivyāsahataṃ dairdhyaṃvedhāṃgulahataṃ punaḥ || 52 ||

Translation

Der Umfang wird gewonnen, indem man den Durchmesser mit der festgesetzten Konstante (Näherung) multipliziert. Der Durchmesser wird nach der Fingerbreite (aṅgula) bis zum Nagel gemessen; und die Länge wird wiederum berechnet, indem man nach aṅgula-Einheiten multipliziert.

Word by Word

• वृत्ताङ्गांशकृतिः: construction/measure of the circle-part fraction
• वृत्ताङ्गांशकृतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्त-अङ्ग-अंश-कृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. sg.); बहु-तत्पुरुष-समासः (वृत्तस्य अङ्गस्य अंशस्य कृतिः)

• वेध: vedha (measure)
• वेध: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. sg.)

• निप्रीयनक: (technical) niprīyanaka
• निप्रीयनक: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निप्रीयनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. sg.); (दुर्लभ-शब्द)

• रामितौ: measured/pleasing (approx.)
• रामितौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रामित (रम् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc. du.); (पाठदुष्कर)

• वारि: water
• वारि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom./Acc. sg.); (समासाङ्ग)

• व्यासहतम्: multiplied by the diameter
• व्यासहतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्यास-हत (हन् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom./Acc. sg.); तत्पुरुषः (व्यासेन हतम् = multiplied by diameter)

• दैर्ध्यम्: length
• दैर्ध्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैर्ध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom./Acc. sg.)

• वेधाङ्गुलहतम्: multiplied by vedha-aṅgulas
• वेधाङ्गुलहतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेध-अङ्गुल-हत (हन् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom./Acc. sg.); तत्पुरुषः (वेधस्य अङ्गुलैः हतम् = multiplied by vedha-inches)

• पुनः: again/further
• पुनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति/क्रमे (again/further)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical-ritual context within Moksha Dharma)

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 highlights that Dharma is supported by precision: correct measurement and accepted standards safeguard ritual order, which in turn steadies the mind for Moksha-oriented discipline.

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

Indirectly: Bhakti in the Purana is not opposed to method; careful, rule-based practice (when worship involves rites) is presented as a way to offer worship without negligence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Practical measurement and computation—using aṅgula-based units and an accepted approximation for relating diameter and circumference—knowledge akin to Śulba/kalpa-style technical procedure used in ritual settings.