Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61

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

Devanagari script

एवं तिथिं विनिश्चित्य स्मृतिमार्गेण पंडितः । यः करोति व्रतादीनि तस्य स्यादक्षयं फलम् ॥ ६१ ॥

Transliteration

evaṃ tithiṃ viniścitya smṛtimārgeṇa paṃḍitaḥ | yaḥ karoti vratādīni tasya syādakṣayaṃ phalam || 61 ||

Translation

Ainsi, après avoir déterminé avec justesse la tithi, le savant qui accomplit les vœux (vrata) et les observances connexes selon la voie de la Smṛti obtient un fruit impérissable, inépuisable.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (manner adverb) — “thus/in this way”

• तिथिम्: the lunar day (tithi)
• तिथिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — object of viniścitya

• विनिश्चित्य: having ascertained
• विनिश्चित्य: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वि-नि-√चि (धातु) → विनिश्चित्य (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)
• Form: अव्ययभाव-कृदन्त; क्त्वान्त (gerund) — “having ascertained/decided”

• स्मृति-मार्गेण: by the smṛti-tradition
• स्मृति-मार्गेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मृति (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः — Instrumental: “by the path/authority of smṛti”

• पण्डितः: a learned person
• पण्डितः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पण्डित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — subject

• यः: who
• यः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — relative pronoun referring to पण्डितः

• करोति: performs
• करोति: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), परस्मैपद, एकवचन — “does/performs”

• व्रत-आदीनि: vows and related observances
• व्रत-आदीनि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (व्रतानि आदीनि यस्मिन्/येषु) — “vows and the like” as object

• तस्य: for him
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन — Genitive: “of him/for him”

• स्यात्: would be
• स्यात्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), 3rd person singular, परस्मैपद — “would be”

• अक्षयम्: imperishable
• अक्षयम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — adjective qualifying फलम्

• फलम्: fruit; result
• फलम्: कर्ता/प्रेडिकेट (Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — subject complement with syāt

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Smriti-based procedure of vrata observance)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: vratādīni (general class of vows/observances; no single named vrata)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It teaches that spiritual merit becomes “akṣaya” (unfailing) when vows are performed with correct timing (tithi) and in accordance with Smṛti-based dharma.

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

By emphasizing disciplined observance of vratas at the proper tithi, it supports bhakti through regulated devotional practice, where correct procedure strengthens the devotional offering and its lasting fruit.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights calendrical/astronomical calculation used in ritual timing—tithi determination (a Jyotiṣa-linked practical skill) applied to Dharmaśāstra/Smṛti observances.