Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

कार्तिको मार्गशीर्षश्च नृणां दुष्टफलप्रदः । शुभप्रदौ पौषमाघौ मध्यमौ फाल्गुनो मधुः ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

kārtiko mārgaśīrṣaśca nṛṇāṃ duṣṭaphalapradaḥ | śubhapradau pauṣamāghau madhyamau phālguno madhuḥ || 54 ||

Translation

For people, the months Kārtika and Mārgaśīrṣa are said to yield adverse results; Pauṣa and Māgha are auspicious and bestow good results; while Phālguna and Madhu (Caitra) are of middling effect.

Word by Word

• kārtikaḥ: Kārtika (month)
• kārtikaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• mārgaśīrṣaḥ: Mārgaśīrṣa (month)
• mārgaśīrṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārgaśīrṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• nṛṇām: of men/of people
• nṛṇām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• duṣṭa-phala-pradaḥ: giver of evil results
• duṣṭa-phala-pradaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: 'giver of bad results'; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; predicate adjective for months mentioned

• śubha-pradau: bestowers of auspiciousness (two)
• śubha-pradau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक) + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa; Masculine, Nominative, Dual (द्विवचन); agrees with pauṣa-māgha

• pauṣa-māghau: Pauṣa and Māgha
• pauṣa-māghau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pauṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + māgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (pair): Pauṣa and Māgha; Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• madhyamau: middling/average (two)
• madhyamau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual; predicate adjective for pauṣa-māghau

• phālgunaḥ: Phālguna (month)
• phālgunaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phālguna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• madhuḥ: Madhu (name of a month)
• madhuḥ: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; month-name synonym

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It teaches that kāla (sacred time) influences outcomes; selecting the right month supports dharmic action and steadiness in sādhanā, while poorly chosen timing can obstruct results.

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

Though not directly naming bhakti, it implies that devotional vows and observances gain strength when performed in auspicious periods (like Pauṣa and Māgha), helping a devotee maintain discipline and favorable momentum in worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology/calendar science): it classifies months by expected results, guiding when to undertake vratas, rites, or major spiritual efforts according to auspicious timing.