Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 171

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वात्रयं मघाह्यग्निविशाखायममूलभम् । अधोमुखं तु नवकं भानौ तत्रविधीयते ॥ १७१ ॥

Transliteration

pūrvātrayaṃ maghāhyagniviśākhāyamamūlabham | adhomukhaṃ tu navakaṃ bhānau tatravidhīyate || 171 ||

Translation

Les trois astérismes dits « Pūrva », Maghā, (Kṛttikā) l’étoile du Feu, Viśākhā, Āyama et Mūla sont déclarés « sans racine », impropres à fonder un commencement. Et l’on y prescrit aussi le groupe de neuf « tournés vers le bas », en rapport avec le Soleil (Sūrya).

Word by Word

• पूर्व: former/previous
• पूर्व: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular); विशेषण (adjectival)

• त्रयम्: a triad; three (set)
• त्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular); संख्यावाचक (numeral)

• मघा: Maghā (nakṣatra)
• मघा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मघा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Feminine, Nominative, Singular); नक्षत्रनाम (nakṣatra-name)

• अहि: serpent
• अहि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• अग्नि: Agni; fire
• अग्नि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• विशाखा: Viśākhā (nakṣatra)
• विशाखा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशाखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Feminine, Nominative, Singular); नक्षत्रनाम (nakṣatra-name)

• अयम: this
• अयम: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular); सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• मूलभम्: rooted; having a base (uncertain reading)
• मूलभम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मूलभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular); विशेषण

• अधोमुखम्: downward-facing
• अधोमुखम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधोमुख (प्रातिपदिक: अधस् + मुख)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular); विशेषण; समासः कर्मधारय (descriptive)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ (but/indeed)

• नवकम्: a group of nine; nonad
• नवकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नवक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

• भानौ: in/under Bhānu (the Sun)
• भानौ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (Masculine, Locative, Singular)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्ययीभावार्थे देशवाचक (indeclinable adverb of place)

• विधीयते: is arranged/ordained
• विधीयते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु) + वि- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (Present, 3rd sg, Ātmanepada; passive)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara
• Agni
• Surya

FAQs

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

It shows that Dharma includes right discernment (viveka) in action—choosing proper cosmic timing (muhūrta/nakṣatra) so that rites and life-beginnings align with order (ṛta), supporting steadiness of mind on the path to mokṣa.

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

While the verse is technical (Jyotiṣa), it supports bhakti by advising disciplined, scriptural conduct for worship and vows—devotional acts are strengthened when performed with proper observances rather than impulsively.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa: classification of nakṣatras (e.g., ‘rootless’ and ‘downward-facing’) used in deciding suitability for starting activities and for solar-based timing considerations.