Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 171

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

Devanagari script

द्वाविंशभूपास्तुंगेसृक्चापेर्केन्दूयमस्तनौ । भूपकृत्तुंगगोर्कोगेस्तेसाजार्कोखभे गुरौ ॥ १७१ ॥

Transliteration

dvāviṃśabhūpāstuṃgesṛkcāperkendūyamastanau | bhūpakṛttuṃgagorkogestesājārkokhabhe gurau || 171 ||

Translation

बाईसवें विभाग में उच्चस्थानों के ‘भूप’ गिने जाते हैं—धनु और कर्क में सूर्य, चन्द्र और यम (के स्थान) माने गए हैं। उच्च राशि में ‘राजा‑कर्ता’ (राज्य देने वाला) कहा गया है; और सूर्यांश के आकाश‑राशि (कुम्भ) में गुरु का विचार किया जाता है।

Word by Word

• द्वा-विṃश-भूपाः: the twenty-two kings
• द्वा-विṃश-भूपाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वा + विंश + भूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—द्विगु (numerical compound)

• तुंगे: in exaltation/high position
• तुंगे: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुंग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• सृक्-चापे: in ‘sṛk’ and ‘cāpa’ (technical terms; likely specific signs/divisions)
• सृक्-चापे: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृक् + चाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः

• र्क-इन्दु-यम-स्तनौ: in (the divisions named) Sun, Moon, Yama, and ‘stana’
• र्क-इन्दु-यम-स्तनौ: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्क + इन्दु + यम + स्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), द्विवचन/एकवचन (पाठदोष-सम्भावना); समासः—द्वन्द्वः; (technical list)

• भूप-कृत्: king-maker / one who makes kings
• भूप-कृत्: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूप + कृत् (कृदन्त, √कृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कृदन्त—कृत् (agent noun) ‘maker/doer’; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘king-maker’/‘one who makes kings’)

• तुंग-ग-उर्क-ओगेः: of (the division) ‘tuṅga-ga-urka-oga’ (technical; uncertain)
• तुंग-ग-उर्क-ओगेः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुंग + ग + उर्क + ओग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः; (technical sequence; reading uncertain)

• स्ते-साज-आर्क-ओख-भे: in (the divisions named) ste, sāja, ārka, okha, and bha (technical; uncertain)
• स्ते-साज-आर्क-ओख-भे: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्ते + साज + आर्क + ओख + भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः; (technical list; reading uncertain)

• गुरौ: in Jupiter
• गुरौ: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक; Jupiter)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada; technical instruction in Vedic astrology/vedāṅga-jyotiṣa style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Surya (Arka)
• Chandra (Indu)
• Yama
• Brihaspati (Guru)
• Dhanu (Sagittarius)
• Karka (Cancer)
• Kumbha (Aquarius)

FAQs

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

This verse reflects the Purana’s inclusion of vedāṅga knowledge—especially jyotiṣa—showing that disciplined understanding of cosmic order (graha–rāśi rules and exaltations) supports dharma and self-regulation, which are prerequisites for mokṣa-oriented life.

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

While not a direct bhakti instruction, it supports bhakti indirectly: by teaching orderly dharmic living and correct timing/understanding of actions (a jyotiṣa concern), the devotee can align vrata, worship, and conduct more steadily toward Viṣṇu-bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa: the verse uses technical astrological language—divisions (varga-like counting), exaltation (tuṅga), and rāśi references (Dhanu, Karka, Kumbha) connected with grahas (Sūrya, Candra, Guru), indicating applied astrological reckoning.