Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

गणिते परिकर्मादि खगमध्यस्फुटक्रिंये । अनुयोगश्चंद्रसूर्यग्रहणं तचोदस्याकम् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

gaṇite parikarmādi khagamadhyasphuṭakriṃye | anuyogaścaṃdrasūryagrahaṇaṃ tacodasyākam || 3 ||

Translation

In Gaṇita are taught the preliminary operations (parikarman) and the precise procedures for determining the true positions of the heavenly bodies; it also includes applied problems, the computation of lunar and solar eclipses, and the methods for ascertaining their causes.

Word by Word

• गणिते: in (the section on) calculation
• गणिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• परिकर्म-आदि: preliminary operations and the like
• परिकर्म-आदि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिकर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभावार्थ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (आदि-समास: 'beginning with')

• खग-मध्य-स्फुट-क्रिये: in the computation of the true (sphuṭa) mean positions of planets/birds (khaga=graha)
• खग-मध्य-स्फुट-क्रिये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग + मध्य + स्फुट + क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (खगानां मध्यस्य स्फुट-क्रिया)

• अनुयोगः: application; procedure; problem-setting
• अनुयोगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुयोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• चन्द्र-सूर्य-ग्रहणम्: lunar and solar eclipse
• चन्द्र-सूर्य-ग्रहणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र + सूर्य + ग्रहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (moon and sun eclipses)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• उदय-अस्त-यामकम्: (calculations of) rising and setting, and related paired determinations
• उदय-अस्त-यामकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदय + अस्त + यामक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्वः (उदयश्च अस्तश्च—rising and setting; यामक as paired/related computation)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Chandra
• Surya

FAQs

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

It highlights that sacred tradition preserves disciplined knowledge (gaṇita/jyotiṣa) for understanding cosmic order (ṛta), supporting dharma through accurate calendrics and timing of rites.

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

Indirectly: by teaching reliable astronomical computation, it supports proper observance of vows and festivals (vrata, parva) that structure devotional practice toward Vishnu and other deities.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa-vedāṅga: mathematical methods for mean/true planetary positions, applied problem-solving (anuyoga), and calculation of lunar and solar eclipses (grahaṇa).