Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

Graha–Ketu–Utpāta Lakṣaṇas: Solar/Lunar Omens, Comets, Eclipses, and Calendar Rules

Devanagari script

पक्षं पक्षार्धमर्केन्दु परिविष्टावहर्निशम् । राजानमन्यं कुरुतो लोहिताम्बुदयास्तगौ ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

pakṣaṃ pakṣārdhamarkendu pariviṣṭāvaharniśam | rājānamanyaṃ kuruto lohitāmbudayāstagau || 16 ||

Translation

The Sun and the Moon, moving in their ordained courses, bring forth the measures of time—fortnights and half-fortnights, and day and night. Likewise, by their reddish risings and settings, they cause the succession of rulers, the changing order of dominion.

Word by Word

• pakṣam: a fortnight/half-month
• pakṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• pakṣa-ardham: half of a fortnight
• pakṣa-ardham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (pakṣasya ardham)

• arka-indu: the Sun and the Moon
• arka-indu: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arka (प्रातिपदिक) + indu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व

• pariviṣṭau: having entered/being situated
• pariviṣṭau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√viś (विश्) (धातु) → pariviṣṭa (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त); Masculine, Nominative, Dual; used predicatively with arka-indu

• ahaḥ-niśam: day and night; continuously
• ahaḥ-niśam: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ahaḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + niśā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva adverb (अव्ययीभाव-अव्यय): ‘day and night’ = continuously

• rājānam: king
• rājānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• anyam: another/different
• anyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with rājānam

• kurutaḥ: (they two) make/appoint
• kurutaḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ) (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Dual (द्विवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• lohita-ambu-daya-asta-gau: (the two) whose rise and set are reddish
• lohita-ambu-daya-asta-gau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lohita (प्रातिपदिक) + ambu (प्रातिपदिक) + daya (प्रातिपदिक) + asta (प्रातिपदिक) + ga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); बहुव्रीहि: ‘those whose rising/setting is in red water/clouds’ (contextual epithet of Sun & Moon)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Moksha-Dharma discourse; framed within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Surya (Sun)
• Chandra (Moon)

FAQs

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

It points to kāla (Time) as a cosmic regulator: day/night and lunar fortnights arise from the Sun–Moon order, reminding the seeker that worldly power and conditions continually change, encouraging detachment and pursuit of moksha.

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

By highlighting the constant turning of time and the replacement of rulers, it supports bhakti as a stable refuge: devotion to the timeless Lord is implied as superior to reliance on transient worldly sovereignty.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology/astronomy): the verse references pakṣa (lunar fortnight), ahorātra (day-night), and observable phenomena like reddish rising/setting used for calendrical reckoning and timing of rites.