Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 193

Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā

Devanagari script

स्थिरस्थैर्यमुसलं नाम द्विशरीणतैर्नलः । भाला केंद्रस्थितैः सौम्यैः पापैस्सर्प उदाहृतः ॥ १९३ ॥

Transliteration

sthirasthairyamusalaṃ nāma dviśarīṇatairnalaḥ | bhālā keṃdrasthitaiḥ saumyaiḥ pāpaissarpa udāhṛtaḥ || 193 ||

Translation

Der Name lautet „Sthira-sthairya-musala“; aufgrund des Zustands „zweier Körper“ heißt es „Nala“. O Sanftmütiger: Wenn Wohltäter die Winkelhäuser besetzen, während Übeltäter in den mittleren Positionen stehen, wird dies als (Yoga/Omen) namens „Sarpa“ bezeichnet.

Word by Word

• स्थिर-स्थैर्य-मुसलम्: (called) Sthira, Sthairya, Musala
• स्थिर-स्थैर्य-मुसलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थिर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थैर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मुसल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन; सूची-समास (enumerative dvandva)

• नाम: by name / called
• नाम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; नाम-शब्दः (quotative/‘called’)

• द्वि-शरीणतैः: by the two-bodied (ones)
• द्वि-शरीणतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (प्रातिपदिक) + शरीरिन्/शरीण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; द्विगु-समास (numeral compound)

• नलः: Nala (name/sign)
• नलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भालाः: foreheads / Bhālā (name)
• भालाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• केन्द्र-स्थितैः: by those situated in the center
• केन्द्र-स्थितैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थित (√स्था धातु, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; कृदन्त-विशेषण (स्थित = ‘placed’), सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष (केन्द्रे स्थित)

• सौम्यैः: by benefics / gentle ones
• सौम्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• पापैः: by malefics / sinful ones
• पापैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• सर्पः: serpent (name/sign)
• सर्पः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• उदाहृतः: is mentioned/declared
• उदाहृतः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + आ + √हृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि (is stated/mentioned)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical, Vedanga-linked context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It frames Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology) as a dharmic tool: recognizing planetary patterns (yogas/omens) helps a seeker act with awareness, restraint, and right timing—supporting steadiness (sthairya) on the path of Moksha Dharma.

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

Indirectly: by advising discernment through omens/yogas, it encourages devotees to align actions and vows with auspicious conditions, minimizing obstacles and keeping the mind steady for Vishnu-oriented devotion and disciplined practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga: the verse references kendra (angular houses) and classification of planetary configurations into named yogas/omens (e.g., “Sarpa”), indicating applied astrological diagnostics.