Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 176

Jyotiṣa-śāstra Saṅgraha: Threefold Division, Gaṇita Methods, Muhūrta, and Planetary Reckoning

Devanagari script

भास्करेंद्वो र्भचक्रांत चक्रार्द्धावधिसंस्थयोः । दृक्कल्पसाधितांशादियुक्तयोः स्वावपक्रमौ ॥ १७६ ॥

Transliteration

bhāskareṃdvo rbhacakrāṃta cakrārddhāvadhisaṃsthayoḥ | dṛkkalpasādhitāṃśādiyuktayoḥ svāvapakramau || 176 ||

Translation

For the Sun and the Moon—when they are placed at the end of the zodiacal circle, or at the boundary of the half‑circle—one should determine their respective apakrama (declinations) by applying the degrees and related values computed according to the dṛkkalpa (observational procedure).

Word by Word

• bhāskara-indvoḥ: of the Sun and the Moon
• bhāskara-indvoḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāskara (प्रातिपदिक) + indu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-द्विवचन; ‘of the Sun and the Moon’

• bha-cakra-anta: the end of the stellar/zodiacal wheel
• bha-cakra-anta: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bha (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन (contextual technical term); ‘end/limit of the nakṣatra-wheel’

• cakra-arddha-avadhि-saṃsthayoḥ: in/for the two situated at the half-wheel boundary
• cakra-arddha-avadhि-saṃsthayoḥ: Adhikaraṇa/Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (अधिकरण/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक) + avadhi (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃstha (कृदन्त; √sthā स्थितौ)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी-द्विवचन/षष्ठी-द्विवचन (context suggests locative dual: ‘in the two situated at the half-wheel limit’); saṃstha = ‘situated’ (क्त)

• dṛk-kalpa-sādhita-aṃśa-ādi-yuktayoḥ: of the two provided with parts etc. computed by dṛk-kalpa
• dṛk-kalpa-sādhita-aṃśa-ādi-yuktayoḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛk (प्रातिपदिक) + kalpa (प्रातिपदिक) + sādhita (कृदन्त; √sādh साधने) + aṃśa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + yukta (कृदन्त; √yuj योजने)
• Form: षष्ठी-द्विवचन; ‘of the two furnished with etc. (ādi) parts (aṃśa) computed (sādhita) by dṛk-kalpa’

• sva-avapakramau: their respective apakrama (offset/declination)
• sva-avapakramau: Karta/Viśeṣya (कर्ता/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + apakrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-द्विवचन; ‘their own apakrama (declination/offset)’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Moksha-Dharma teaching that includes Vedanga/astronomical aids)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Surya (Bhaskara)
• Chandra (Indu)

FAQs

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

It highlights that accurate knowledge (yathārtha-jñāna)—even in technical fields like Jyotiṣa—supports dharma and right timing for sacred acts, which in turn steadies the mind for mokṣa-oriented practice.

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

Indirectly: by stressing precise reckoning of the Sun and Moon, it supports correct observance of vrata, tithi, and festival timings—frameworks within which Viṣṇu-bhakti and other devotional disciplines are traditionally practiced.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa—specifically, computing the Sun’s and Moon’s apakrama (declination) using drik-based (observational) calculations in degrees (aṃśa) and related measures.