Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta

Devanagari script

परास्त्रिंशश्च घटिकाश्चत्वारिंशच्च पूर्ववत् । आदित्यशीतकिरणौ ग्राह्यावस्तंगतौ यदि ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

parāstriṃśaśca ghaṭikāścatvāriṃśacca pūrvavat | ādityaśītakiraṇau grāhyāvastaṃgatau yadi || 25 ||

Translation

In addition, as stated earlier, one should also count thirty-six and forty ghaṭikās. If the Sun and the cool-rayed Moon have set, then those time-measures are to be taken accordingly.

Word by Word

• parāḥ: further/after (ones)
• parāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Plural; qualifies ghaṭikāḥ (understood)

• triṃśat: thirty
• triṃśat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/quantifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: triṃśat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral (30) used as quantifier; here with implied ghaṭikāḥ

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• ghaṭikāḥ: ghaṭikās
• ghaṭikāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghaṭikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Plural

• catvāriṃśat: forty
• catvāriṃśat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/quantifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catvāriṃśat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral (40) used as quantifier; with implied ghaṭikāḥ

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• pūrvavat: as before
• pūrvavat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrvavat (अव्यय; pūrva + vat)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) “as before/like earlier”

• āditya-śīta-kiraṇau: the Sun and the cool-rayed (Moon)
• āditya-śīta-kiraṇau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āditya (प्रातिपदिक) + śīta (प्रातिपदिक) + kiraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Dual (द्विवचन); dvandva: “Sun and cool-rayed (Moon)” (i.e., āditya + śītakiraṇa)

• grāhyau: to be taken/considered
• grāhyau: Vidhi (विधि/obligation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √grah (ग्रह् धातु) + ya (प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kṛtya gerundive; Masculine, Nominative, Dual; agrees with āditya-śīta-kiraṇau

• astaṃ-gatau: having set (at sunset)
• astaṃ-gatau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: astaṃ (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + gata (प्रातिपदिक; √gam (गम् धातु) PPP)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual; avyayībhāva: “gone to setting” = set; PPP ‘gata’

• yadi: if
• yadi: Hetu/Upapatti (हेतु/शर्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conditional particle (शर्त/निपात)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Chandra

FAQs

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

It emphasizes kāla-śuddhi—correct reckoning of time—because accurate time determination supports the purity and efficacy of Vedic observances and dharmic duties.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports devotional practice by ensuring that vows, worship timings, and ritual observances are performed at properly determined times.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa: the use of ghaṭikā-based time measurement and the rule that when Sun and Moon have set, time-points must be computed/accepted with that condition in view.