Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2
Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta
श्रौतं स्मार्त्तं व्रतं दानं यच्चान्यत्कर्म वैदिकम् । अनिर्णीतासु तिथिषु न किंचित्फलति द्विज ॥ २ ॥
śrautaṃ smārttaṃ vrataṃ dānaṃ yaccānyatkarma vaidikam | anirṇītāsu tithiṣu na kiṃcitphalati dvija || 2 ||
O Brāhmaṇa, sei es ein Śrauta-Ritus, eine Smārta-Observanz, ein Gelübde (vrata), eine Gabe (dāna) oder irgendeine andere vedische Handlung—wenn die Tithi (Mondtag) nicht richtig festgestellt ist, bringt es keinerlei Frucht.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on dharma and ritual timing)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that dharmic actions must be aligned with sacred time (kāla); without correct tithi-nirṇaya, even sincerely performed Vedic rites fail to produce their intended spiritual merit (phala).
By stressing disciplined observance—vratas, dāna, and worship done at the proper tithi—this verse supports bhakti as a regulated practice (niyama) where devotion is strengthened through correct, scripture-aligned timing.
Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga (Vedic astronomy/astrology) is central: determining the correct tithi is presented as essential for the validity and fruit of śrauta, smārta, vrata, and dāna practices.