Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

शुभयोगः शतर्क्षं च शनौ कामे मधौ सिते । महामहेति विख्याता कुलकोटिविमुक्तिदा ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

śubhayogaḥ śatarkṣaṃ ca śanau kāme madhau site | mahāmaheti vikhyātā kulakoṭivimuktidā || 15 ||

Translation

When the auspicious Yoga coincides with the Śatabhiṣaj (Śatārkṣa) constellation—on a Saturday, in the month of Kāma (Phālguna) or Madhu (Caitra), during the bright fortnight—it is renowned as “Mahāmahā.” It is said to grant liberation to crores of one’s lineage.

Word by Word

• शुभयोगः: an auspicious conjunction
• शुभयोगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुभ-योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (शुभः योगः)

• शतर्क्षम्: (the) ‘hundred asterisms’ (name/indicator)
• शतर्क्षम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत-ऋक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (शतं ऋक्षाणि)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (and)

• शनौ: when (it is) Saturn’s (day/period)
• शनौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• कामे: in Kāma (month/occasion named Kāma)
• कामे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मधौ: in Madhu (season/month)
• मधौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सिते: in the bright (fortnight)
• सिते: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (bright/white fortnight)

• महामहा: (called) Mahāmahā
• महामहा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-महा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महती महा) — नामरूपेण

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-अव्यय (thus)

• विख्याता: is renowned as
• विख्याता: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ख्यात् (धातु)
• Form: वि-उपसर्ग + ख्यात्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘well-known/called’

• कुलकोटिविमुक्तिदा: granting liberation to crores of families
• कुलकोटिविमुक्तिदा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुल-कोटि-विमुक्ति-दा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (कुलानां कोटीनां विमुक्तिं ददाति इति)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage; presented as anukramanika-style instruction)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Mahāmahā (as named in the verse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Shani (Saturn)
• Śatabhiṣaj (Nakshatra)

FAQs

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

It highlights the Purāṇic idea that precise sacred timing (tithi–nakṣatra–vāra–māsa) can magnify the fruit of dharma, here promising lineage-wide uplift and liberation (kula-koṭi-vimukti) through the Mahāmahā occasion.

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

While the verse is framed in Jyotiṣa terms, its intent supports bhakti-centered observance: choosing an especially auspicious time for worship/vows so that devotion performed then yields expanded spiritual merit and mokṣa-oriented results.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology): it uses nakṣatra (Śatabhiṣaj), vāra (Saturday), māsa (Kāma/Phālguna and Madhu/Caitra), and pakṣa (bright fortnight) to define an auspicious yoga named Mahāmahā.