Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

The Exposition of the Table of Contents (Anukramaṇī) of the Agni Purāṇa

Devanagari script

प्रायश्चित्तानुकथनं तिथीनां च व्रतादिकम् । वारव्रतानुकथनं नक्षत्रव्रतकीर्तनम् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

prāyaścittānukathanaṃ tithīnāṃ ca vratādikam | vāravratānukathanaṃ nakṣatravratakīrtanam || 12 ||

Translation

It recounts the methods of prāyaścitta, rites of expiation and purification, and also the vows and observances connected with the tithis, the lunar dates. It further explains vows based on the weekdays, and proclaims the vows associated with the nakṣatras, the lunar mansions.

Word by Word

• प्रायश्चित्त-अनुकथनम्: the narration of expiations
• प्रायश्चित्त-अनुकथनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रायश्चित्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुकथन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (anukathana of expiations)

• तिथीनाम्: of lunar days (tithis)
• तिथीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

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

• व्रत-आदिकम्: vows and related matters
• व्रत-आदिकम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—आदि-तत्पुरुषः (vows etc.)

• वार-व्रत-अनुकथनम्: the narration of weekday vows
• वार-व्रत-अनुकथनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वार (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुकथन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (anukathana of weekday-vows)

• नक्षत्र-व्रत-कीर्तनम्: the mention of vows connected with constellations
• नक्षत्र-व्रत-कीर्तनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (mentioning of nakṣatra-vows)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework as an anukramanika/topic-summary)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (generic tithi-/vāra-/nakṣatra-vratas)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

This verse functions as a topical index (anukramaṇikā), highlighting that Dharma in the Narada Purana includes both inner rectification through prāyaścitta and disciplined living through time-based vratas (tithi, weekday, and nakṣatra observances).

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

While not naming a deity here, it points to structured devotional discipline: vratas aligned with sacred time are traditional supports for bhakti, helping devotees regulate conduct, purify intention, and maintain steady worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Jyotiṣa-oriented practice—using tithi, vāra (weekday), and nakṣatra to frame religious observances—showing how calendrical/astral timekeeping informs ritual and vrata scheduling in the Narada Purana.