Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 79
Jyotiṣa-śāstra Saṅgraha: Threefold Division, Gaṇita Methods, Muhūrta, and Planetary Reckoning
लथोनरात्रिरहितालंकार्यामर्द्धरात्रिकाः । सावनोद्यूगसारर्कादिर्दिनमासाब्दयास्ततः ॥ ७९ ॥
lathonarātrirahitālaṃkāryāmarddharātrikāḥ | sāvanodyūgasārarkādirdinamāsābdayāstataḥ || 79 ||
From those earlier divisions of time arise the names: night, the state without night, the “ornamented” (special) night, the middle of the night, and the half-night. Thereafter are reckoned the sāvana (civil) day, the yuga, the essence of the year, the Sun’s course, and finally the measures of day, month, and year.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada the technical divisions of time)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It frames time as a sacred, knowable order—by understanding time-divisions (night, midnight, day, month, year), one aligns dharma (ritual duty and right conduct) with the cosmic rhythm that supports steadiness of mind and progress toward moksha.
While not directly praising bhakti, it supplies the practical framework for devotional observances—fasts, vows, and worship schedules depend on correct reckoning of nights, days, months, and yearly cycles, making devotion disciplined and scripturally grounded.
Vedanga Jyotisha (Vedic calendrics/astronomy): it points to sāvana time-counting and larger cycles like yugas, and connects these to standard measures (day–month–year) used to time rites and vrata observances.