Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7

Graha–Ketu–Utpāta Lakṣaṇas: Solar/Lunar Omens, Comets, Eclipses, and Calendar Rules

Devanagari script

ऊर्द्ध्वैर्भानुकरैस्ताम्रैर्नाशं याति चमूपतिः । पीतैर्नृपसुतः श्वेतैः पुरोधश्चित्रितैर्जनाः ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

ūrddhvairbhānukaraistāmrairnāśaṃ yāti camūpatiḥ | pītairnṛpasutaḥ śvetaiḥ purodhaścitritairjanāḥ || 7 ||

Translation

Wenn die Sonnenstrahlen aufwärts steigen und kupferrot erscheinen, geht der Heerführer dem Untergang entgegen. Erscheinen sie gelb, wird der Königssohn bedrängt; erscheinen sie weiß, wird der königliche Priester (purohita) bedrängt; und erscheinen sie bunt, leidet das Volk.

Word by Word

• ऊर्ध्वैः: by/with upward (rays)
• ऊर्ध्वैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; instrumental plural; विशेषण

• भानु-करैः: with sun-rays
• भानु-करैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भानु (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; instrumental plural

• ताम्रैः: coppery/reddish
• ताम्रैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; instrumental plural; विशेषण

• नाशम्: destruction
• नाशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म) एकवचन; accusative singular

• याति: goes/comes to
• याति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; present indicative, 3rd person singular

• चमू-पतिः: commander of the army
• चमू-पतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चमू (प्रातिपदिक) + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता) एकवचन; nominative singular

• पीतैः: by/with yellow (rays/colors)
• पीतैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; instrumental plural; विशेषण

• नृप-सुतः: the king's son
• नृप-सुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक) + सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता) एकवचन; nominative singular

• श्वेतैः: by/with white (rays/colors)
• श्वेतैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; instrumental plural; विशेषण

• पुरोधाः: family priest
• पुरोधाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरोधस्/पुरोधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता) एकवचन; nominative singular

• चित्रितैः: variegated/painted
• चित्रितैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्रित (कृदन्त; √चित्र्/√चित्? denominative from चित्र)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle-like), तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; instrumental plural; विशेषण

• जनाः: people
• जनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता) बहुवचन; nominative plural

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a nimitta/śakuna context, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Surya (Bhanu)

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic phenomena as nimitta (indicative signs), urging rulers and society to respond with dharmic vigilance—self-correction, restraint, and protective rites—rather than negligence.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports a bhakti-oriented worldview in which cosmic order is meaningful; adverse portents prompt prayerful reliance on dharma and devotion, especially protective worship and repentance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga (astral/omen science): it correlates observable solar-ray colors and forms with predicted outcomes affecting specific social roles—military leadership, the prince, the purohita, and the populace.