Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 92

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

Devanagari script

तस्मादन्वेषणीयं तत्कालज्ञानाय धीमता । उत्पातरूपाः केतूनामुदयास्तमया नृणाम् ॥ ९२ ॥

Transliteration

tasmādanveṣaṇīyaṃ tatkālajñānāya dhīmatā | utpātarūpāḥ ketūnāmudayāstamayā nṛṇām || 92 ||

Translation

Darum soll der Weise sorgfältig nachforschen, um die Beschaffenheit der gegenwärtigen Zeit zu erkennen—nämlich die Unheils- und Heilszeichen in Gestalt der Ketu: das Aufgehen und Untergehen der Ketu (Kometen/Meteore), die die Menschen berühren.

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी (Ablative), एकवचन

• अन्वेषणीयम्: should be investigated
• अन्वेषणीयम्: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्वेषणीय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; from अनु-इष्/अन्वेष्)
• Form: भाव्य/अनीयर्-प्रत्यय (gerundive/obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be searched/investigated’

• तत्-काल-ज्ञानाय: for knowing that time
• तत्-काल-ज्ञानाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम) + काल (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/सम्बन्ध: ‘knowledge of that time’

• धीमता: by the intelligent (person)
• धीमता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• उत्पात-रूपाः: portent-formed
• उत्पात-रूपाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्पात (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘having the form of portents’

• केतूनाम्: of comets/meteors
• केतूनाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• उदयाः: risings
• उदयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• अस्तमयाः: settings
• अस्तमयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्तमय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• नृणाम्: of men/people
• नृणाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It teaches mindful discernment of time (tat-kāla-jñāna): the wise observe cosmic signs not for fear, but to respond with dharmic conduct and inner steadiness amid changing conditions.

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

By urging the wise to read external signs without being shaken, it indirectly supports bhakti as a stabilizing refuge—remaining devoted and righteous even when ominous phenomena appear.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga: practical observation and interpretation of celestial phenomena—especially ketus (comet-like apparitions) and their risings/settings—as indicators of auspicious or inauspicious periods.