Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

इष्टकर्मवधेमूलं च्युतं मिश्रात्कलांतरे । मानघ्नकालश्चातीतकालाघ्नफलसंहृताः ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

iṣṭakarmavadhemūlaṃ cyutaṃ miśrātkalāṃtare | mānaghnakālaścātītakālāghnaphalasaṃhṛtāḥ || 39 ||

Translation

The very root that destroys the merit of desired rites falls away, in the course of time, from that which is mixed with other motives and conditions. And when the hour that shatters pride arrives, the fruits already being cut down by passing time are gathered up completely—exhausted to the end.

Word by Word

• इष्टकर्मवधेमूलम्: the root/base for the killing (subtraction) of the desired operation/result
• इष्टकर्मवधेमूलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इष्ट + कर्म + वध + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (singular); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative): इष्टस्य कर्मणः वधे मूलम्

• च्युतम्: fallen/removed; subtracted
• च्युतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: च्युत (कृदन्त; √च्यु (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत् (past passive participle)

• मिश्रात्: from the mixture/combined quantity
• मिश्रात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (neut./masc.), पञ्चमी विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन

• कलान्तरे: in another part/interval (of a kalā)
• कलान्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलान्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: कलायाः अन्तरम्

• मानघ्नकालः: the time-factor that cancels/destroys the māna (measure)
• मानघ्नकालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानघ्न + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: मानं घ्नन् (नाशयन्) इति मानघ्नः, तस्य कालः

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

• अतीतकालाघ्नफलसंहृताः: (those) collected results that eliminate past-time (effects)
• अतीतकालाघ्नफलसंहृताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतीतकाल + अघ्न + फल + संहृत (कृदन्त; √हृ (धातु) + सम् + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: अतीतकालस्य अघ्नः (नाशकः) फलस्य संहृताः (समाहृताः/संगृहीताः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-dharma dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that ritual merit is time-bound and can be undermined when actions are “mixed” with ego or worldly motives; time ultimately exhausts such fruits, urging a turn toward moksha-oriented practice.

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

By showing the fragility of time-limited ritual rewards, it indirectly points to steadier spiritual refuge—single-pointed devotion and surrender—rather than prideful reliance on one’s ritual accomplishments.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A key ritual principle: the “phala” of karma depends on purity of intention and proper conditions; mixed motivations and the factor of kāla (timing/seasonal ripening) affect the fruition and eventual depletion of results.