Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

प्रशस्तां केचिदाहुश्च तृतीयां नवमीं तथा । व्रतादीनां तु सर्वेषां शुक्लपक्षो विशिष्यते ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

praśastāṃ kecidāhuśca tṛtīyāṃ navamīṃ tathā | vratādīnāṃ tu sarveṣāṃ śuklapakṣo viśiṣyate || 7 ||

Translation

Algunos declaran especialmente auspiciosos el tercer día lunar y asimismo el noveno; y para todos los votos y observancias, la quincena luminosa (Śukla-pakṣa) es tenida por superior.

Word by Word

• praśastām: auspicious (as to be chosen)
• praśastām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśastā (प्रातिपदिक; √śas (धातु) से निष्पन्न)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā vibhakti (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); विशेषण (qualifier)

• ke-cit: some (people)
• ke-cit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim + cit (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम + अव्यय)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā vibhakti (1st/प्रथमा), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); अनिश्चित-सर्वनाम (indefinite pronoun)

• āhuḥ: say/declare
• āhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ/Parokṣa? (लकार: लिट्—perfect, common in narration), Prathama puruṣa (3rd/प्रथम), Bahuvacana (plural); parasmaipada

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात; conjunction)

• tṛtīyām: the third (tithi)
• tṛtīyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tṛtīyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; तिथि-नाम (name of lunar day)

• navamīm: the ninth (tithi)
• navamīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: navamī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; तिथि-नाम

• tathā: likewise/also
• tathā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; prakāra-avyaya (प्रकार-अव्यय; adverb)

• vrata-ādīnām: of vows and the like
• vrata-ādīnām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Samāsa: ādi-tatpuruṣa (आदि-तत्पुरुष; 'vrata and the like'); Napuṃsakaliṅga/puṃ? (collective), Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti (6th/षष्ठी), Bahuvacana; 'of vows etc.'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa/viśeṣa-nipāta (अवधारण/विशेष-निपात; particle)

• sarveṣām: of all
• sarveṣām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/Napuṃsakaliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti, Bahuvacana; सर्व-विशेषण (universal qualifier)

• śukla-pakṣaḥ: the bright fortnight
• śukla-pakṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śukla + pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Samāsa: karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय; 'bright fortnight'); Puṃliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• viśiṣyate: is especially distinguished/preferred
• viśiṣyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śiṣ (धातु) उपसर्ग वि-
• Form: Laṭ (लट्; present), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; ātmanepada; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोग (intransitive: 'is distinguished')

Speaker

Narada (teaching within a vrata/ritual-time discussion)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that the timing of a vow (vrata) matters: certain tithis (Tṛtīyā, Navamī) are praised, and the waxing moon (Śukla-pakṣa) is generally considered more sattvic and supportive for religious observances.

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

By recommending auspicious times for vrata and worship, it supports orderly, disciplined devotion—helping a devotee align practices with favorable lunar rhythms to sustain bhakti with steadiness.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects calendrical/astral calculation used in ritual planning—practically the Panchāṅga-based selection of tithi and pakṣa (a Jyotiṣa-related application) for performing vratas.