Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā

Devanagari script

चित्रः कृष्णः पीतपिंगौ बभ्रुः स्वच्छः प्रभाक्रियात् । साम्याशाख्यप्लवत्वं स्याद्द्वितीये वशिरर्कभात् ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

citraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pītapiṃgau babhruḥ svacchaḥ prabhākriyāt | sāmyāśākhyaplavatvaṃ syāddvitīye vaśirarkabhāt || 13 ||

Translation

Bigarré, sombre, jaune fauve, brun ou limpide : tels aspects naissent selon l’opération de sa propre radiance (énergie intérieure). Au second stade surgissent l’égalité (sāmya), l’état « indicible » (aśākhya) et la faculté de flotter et de traverser (plavatva), comme éclairés par la splendeur du soleil.

Word by Word

• चित्रः: variegated
• चित्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृष्णः: black
• कृष्णः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पीत-पिङ्गौ: yellow and tawny
• पीत-पिङ्गौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत (प्रातिपदिक) + पिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: ‘पीतश्च पिङ्गश्च’

• बभ्रुः: brown
• बभ्रुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बभ्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्वच्छः: clear/transparent
• स्वच्छः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वच्छ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रभा-क्रियात्: from the action/effect of radiance
• प्रभा-क्रियात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभा (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘प्रभायाः क्रिया’ (activity/operation of light)

• साम्य-आशाख्य-प्लवत्वम्: a state of ‘sāmya/āśākhya’ floating/instability
• साम्य-आशाख्य-प्लवत्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साम्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आशाख्य (प्रातिपदिक) + प्लवत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (determinative): ‘साम्यं च आशाख्यं च यत् प्लवत्वम्’ (floating/instability termed ‘sāmya/āśākhya’)

• स्यात्: would be/is said to be
• स्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• द्वितीये: in the second
• द्वितीये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘in the second (place/house)’

• वशिरर्कभात्: from Vaśirarkabhā (unclear term)
• वशिरर्कभात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वशिरर्कभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन; पाठभेद/दुर्लभ-शब्दः (rare/uncertain lexeme)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It presents a diagnostic of inner transformation: changing “colors” symbolize shifting mental-energetic conditions, while the second stage is marked by equanimity and an inexpressible clarity that helps one ‘cross over’ bondage.

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

Though framed in contemplative language, it supports Bhakti by showing the fruit of purified devotion—inner luminosity, steadiness, and a calm mind—conditions in which remembrance of the Lord becomes effortless and unwavering.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It most closely echoes Jyotiṣa-style observational language (signs/indicators), but applied inwardly: appearances are treated as lakṣaṇas (marks) of subtle states, guiding disciplined practice toward sāmya (equanimity) and clarity.