Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 97
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
उल्कापाताश्च ये घोरा ये महेंद्रायुधादयः । सूर्येंदुकुजसौम्याश्च गुरुकाव्यशनैश्चराः ॥ ९७ ॥
ulkāpātāśca ye ghorā ye maheṃdrāyudhādayaḥ | sūryeṃdukujasaumyāśca gurukāvyaśanaiścarāḥ || 97 ||
Et encore ces chutes de météores redoutables, et les signes qui commencent par l’arme d’Indra (vajra, la foudre); ainsi que le Soleil, la Lune, Mars, Mercure, Jupiter, Vénus et Saturne—tout cela est compté.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedanga/technical-science sequence)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It frames celestial events—meteors, lightning, and the classical planets—as meaningful signs (nimitta) within dharmic life, encouraging disciplined observation and interpretation rather than fear or superstition.
Though technical, it supports Bhakti indirectly: by reading omens correctly and acting dharmically (e.g., restraint, prayer, remedial rites), a devotee maintains steadiness of mind and devotion instead of being shaken by alarming portents.
Jyotiṣa (Vedanga astrology/astronomy) and nimitta-śāstra are highlighted through the explicit listing of grahas and extraordinary sky-omens like ulkāpāta (meteors) and mahendrāyudha (lightning).