Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 178
Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā
यस्य कस्यापि तनयः प्रोक्तैर्योगैर्नृपो भवेत् । वक्ष्यमाणैर्नृपसुतो ज्ञेयो भूयो मुनीश्वर ॥ १७८ ॥
yasya kasyāpi tanayaḥ proktairyogairnṛpo bhavet | vakṣyamāṇairnṛpasuto jñeyo bhūyo munīśvara || 178 ||
By the yogas already stated, the son of anyone at all may become a king. But, O lord among sages, by the criteria that will now be explained, one should again discern who truly qualifies as a “king’s son” (a prince).
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada as munīśvara, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It distinguishes mere social designation from true qualification: kingship or “princely” status is framed as dependent on defined dharmic criteria, not only birth, preparing the reader to value inner merit and right conduct over labels.
Indirectly, it relativizes worldly rank—king or prince—by making it conditional and definable; this supports the Purana’s broader thrust that the highest identity is grounded in dharma and ultimately in devotion and liberation, not in inherited status.
No specific Vedanga (like Jyotisha or Vyakarana) is taught in this verse; it functions as a dharmic framing statement introducing forthcoming technical criteria (yoga/conditions) for defining royal legitimacy.