Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

त्रिस्कंधं ज्यौतिषां शास्त्रं चतुर्लक्षमुदाहृतम् । गणितं जातकं विप्र संहितास्कंधसंज्ञिताः ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

triskaṃdhaṃ jyautiṣāṃ śāstraṃ caturlakṣamudāhṛtam | gaṇitaṃ jātakaṃ vipra saṃhitāskaṃdhasaṃjñitāḥ || 2 ||

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, the science of Jyotiṣa is declared to be threefold in its divisions and to extend to four hundred thousand (units of teaching). Its branches are known as Gaṇita, Jātaka, and Saṃhitā.

Word by Word

• त्रि-स्कन्धम्: having three sections
• त्रि-स्कन्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + स्कन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (threefold)

• ज्यौतिषाम्: of Jyotiṣa (astral science)
• ज्यौतिषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्यौतिष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचन

• शास्त्रम्: treatise; science
• शास्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• चतुर्-लक्षम्: four hundred thousand (in extent)
• चतुर्-लक्षम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (four lakhs)

• उदाहृतम्: is stated; is declared
• उदाहृतम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-आ-हृ (धातु) + क्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• गणितम्: calculation (gaṇita)
• गणितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• जातकम्: nativity/horoscopy (jātaka)
• जातकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• विप्र: O brāhmaṇa
• विप्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• संहिता-स्कन्ध-संज्ञिताः: called the Saṃhitā-skandha
• संहिता-स्कन्ध-संज्ञिताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संहिता + स्कन्ध + संज्ञित (प्रातिपदिक; √ज्ञा + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुवचन-विशेषण (referring to the three skandhas); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (संहिता-स्कन्ध इति संज्ञा यस्य/येषाम्)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It frames Jyotiṣa as an organized śāstra with defined branches, implying that correct knowledge of time, cycles, and indications supports dharma-based living and disciplined sādhana.

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

Indirectly: by classifying Jyotiṣa, it supports proper timing and observance of devotional practices (vratas, pūjā, muhūrtas), which strengthen steady bhakti through regular, well-ordered worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa-related technical knowledge: Gaṇita (astronomical calculations), Jātaka (birth-chart interpretation), and Saṃhitā (omens, seasonal and worldly prognostication used for muhūrta and public/ritual planning).