Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 177
Jyotiṣa-śāstra Saṅgraha: Threefold Division, Gaṇita Methods, Muhūrta, and Planetary Reckoning
अथोजपदगम्येंदोः क्रांतिर्विक्षेपसंस्कृताः । यदि स्यादधिका भानोः क्रांतेः पातो गतस्तदा ॥ १७७ ॥
athojapadagamyeṃdoḥ krāṃtirvikṣepasaṃskṛtāḥ | yadi syādadhikā bhānoḥ krāṃteḥ pāto gatastadā || 177 ||
Now, when the Moon reaches the ajapada (nodal point), its krānti (declination), adjusted by the vikṣepa (latitude correction), is considered. If that corrected declination becomes greater than the Sun’s, then pāta—the passage through the node—is understood to have occurred at that time.
Narada (in an instructional exposition on technical calculation, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framing)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It shows that Dharma is supported by precise knowledge (Vidya): correct timing and understanding of celestial motions (Jyotisha) safeguard ritual and observance, aligning human action with cosmic order (ṛta).
Indirectly: Bhakti practices often follow sacred time (tithi, grahaṇa, parva). By teaching how to identify nodal passage and related conditions, the text supports accurate observance that devotees dedicate to Vishnu and other deities.
Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa: computing krānti (declination) with vikṣepa (latitude correction) and determining pāta (node-crossing), a key step in eclipse/astronomical calculations used in calendrics and ritual timing.