Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Graha–Ketu–Utpāta Lakṣaṇas: Solar/Lunar Omens, Comets, Eclipses, and Calendar Rules
अतिश्रेष्ठ इषः प्रोक्तो मासानां फलमीदृशम् । सौम्ये भागे चरन्भानां क्षेमारोग्यसुभिक्षकृत् ॥ ५६ ॥
atiśreṣṭha iṣaḥ prokto māsānāṃ phalamīdṛśam | saumye bhāge caranbhānāṃ kṣemārogyasubhikṣakṛt || 56 ||
The month called Iṣa is declared the most excellent among the months; such is the fruit of vows and observances among them. When the Sun moves through the auspicious, gentle division, it bestows welfare, freedom from disease, and abundant prosperity.
Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It links sacred time (the month Iṣa and an auspicious solar movement) with dharmic फल (results), teaching that proper observance in the right season supports both worldly welfare (kṣema) and a stable life conducive to higher pursuits.
By elevating a particular month as “most excellent” and describing its benefic results, the verse supports the Purāṇic principle that devotion and vows performed at auspicious times strengthen sāttvika living—health, peace, and prosperity—making sustained Viṣṇu-bhakti and spiritual discipline easier.
Jyotiṣa (Vedic astronomy/astrology): the verse explicitly ties outcomes to the Sun’s movement through a ‘saumya bhāga’ (benefic segment), reflecting month-wise and transit-based timing used for vrata, ritual planning, and seasonal dharma.