Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā

Devanagari script

रिःफाष्टषट्कं त्रिकभं केंद्रं प्राक्तुर्यसप्तखम् । नृपादः कीटपशवो बलाढ्याः केंद्रगाः क्रमात् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

riḥphāṣṭaṣaṭkaṃ trikabhaṃ keṃdraṃ prākturyasaptakham | nṛpādaḥ kīṭapaśavo balāḍhyāḥ keṃdragāḥ kramāt || 11 ||

Translation

The twelfth, eighth, and sixth places are called the Riḥpha group; the third place is termed Trika-bhava; the central places are the Kendras; and the fourth and seventh are auspicious, supporting houses. In due order: those placed in the Kendras become powerful; those in the Trika fall into low conditions, like insects and beasts; and those in the Riḥpha group become dependent on kings, as royal servants.

Word by Word

• riḥpha-aṣṭa-ṣaṭkam: the riḥpha eight-six set (technical)
• riḥpha-aṣṭa-ṣaṭkam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: riḥpha (प्रातिपदिक/technical) + aṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + ṣaṭka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; ‘riḥpha eight-six group’ (technical)

• trika-bham: the trika sign (technical)
• trika-bham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trika (प्रातिपदिक) + bha (प्रातिपदिक/technical)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; ‘trika-sign’ (technical)

• kendram: the kendra (angular/center)
• kendram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kendra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; ‘center/angular house’ (technical)

• prāk-turya-saptakham: the eastward fourth-seventh set (technical)
• prāk-turya-saptakham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāk (अव्यय) + turya (प्रातिपदिक) + saptaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; ‘eastward fourth-seventh set’ (technical)

• nṛ-pādaḥ: nṛpāda (man-foot; technical)
• nṛ-pādaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; ‘man-foot’ (technical label)

• kīṭa-paśavaḥ: insects and animals
• kīṭa-paśavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kīṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + paśu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; ‘insects and animals’

• balāḍhyāḥ: strong / endowed with strength
• balāḍhyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक) + āḍhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; ‘rich/abundant in strength’

• kendra-gāḥ: situated in kendras
• kendra-gāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kendra (प्रातिपदिक) + ga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; ‘going/being in kendra’

• kramāt: in sequence
• kramāt: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘in order/ क्रमशः’

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical, Jyotisha-style classification within Moksha Dharma context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It frames worldly status—power, dependence, or low conditions—as outcomes indicated by karmic patterns (here expressed through bhava placements), reminding the seeker that liberation requires rising beyond such house-based results.

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

Indirectly: by showing the instability of worldly outcomes (power or degradation), it encourages turning from mere status-seeking to steadier refuge in dharma and devotion, which are not bound to fluctuating astrological fortunes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedanga Jyotisha—technical categorization of horoscope houses (kendras, trika/duṣṭhāna-type places, and loss/obstacle houses) and their predicted effects on strength, dependency, and condition of life.