Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

विंशकुदीपौच्चगुणाच्छाया शंकूद्धृता भवेत् । दीपशंक्वंतरं चाथ च्छायाग्रविवरघ्नभा ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

viṃśakudīpauccaguṇācchāyā śaṃkūddhṛtā bhavet | dīpaśaṃkvaṃtaraṃ cātha cchāyāgravivaraghnabhā || 58 ||

Translation

The shadow, measured with the śaṅku (gnomon), should be taken as twenty times the height of the lamp. Then, the interval between the lamp and the śaṅku is to be determined by the (computed) light that removes the gap up to the tip of the shadow.

Word by Word

• विंशकु-दीप-औच्य-गुणात्: from twenty times the lamp-height
• विंशकु-दीप-औच्य-गुणात्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विंशकु (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + औच्य/उच्च (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'from the factor (multiple) of twenty of the lamp-height'

• छाया: shadow
• छाया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• शङ्कु-उद्धृता: cast/raised by the gnomon
• शङ्कु-उद्धृता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्कु (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्धृत (कृदन्त; √उद्-हृ धातु)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'drawn/raised by the gnomon' qualifying 'छाया'

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• दीप-शङ्कु-अन्तरम्: the interval between lamp and gnomon
• दीप-शङ्कु-अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + शङ्कु (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; 'distance between lamp and gnomon'

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; sequential particle

• छाया-अग्र-विवर-घ्न-भा: the (factor) determining the opening at the shadow’s tip
• छाया-अग्र-विवर-घ्न-भा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर (प्रातिपदिक) + घ्न (कृदन्त; √हन् धातु) + भा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: 'light/measure that determines the aperture at the tip of the shadow' (reading/meaning uncertain)

Speaker

Narada (in instructional mode within a technical/observational passage)

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 highlights that dharma is supported by pramāṇa (reliable measurement): correct observation and calculation are treated as aids to right practice and disciplined living.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing precision and order, it supports well-performed religious observances; in Purāṇic practice, careful method strengthens sincerity and steadiness in worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa-style applied measurement using a śaṅku (gnomon) and shadow-length relationships—useful for observational calculations connected with timing and spatial determination.