Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

अनावृष्टाग्निभयकृदनर्थनृपविग्रहः । वसुवैष्णवविश्वेन्दुधातृभेषु चरन्बुधः ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

anāvṛṣṭāgnibhayakṛdanarthanṛpavigrahaḥ | vasuvaiṣṇavaviśvendudhātṛbheṣu caranbudhaḥ || 39 ||

Translation

Ketika Budha (Merkurius) melintas pada kelompok nakṣatra Vasu, Vaiṣṇava, Viśve, Indu, Dhātṛ, dan Bha, ia menimbulkan malapetaka seperti kekeringan dan takut kebakaran, serta membawa kesialan dan pertikaian di antara para raja.

Word by Word

• अनावृष्टि-अग्नि-भय-कृत्: causing drought and fear of fire
• अनावृष्टि-अग्नि-भय-कृत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनावृष्टि + अग्नि + भय + कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—अनावृष्टिं च अग्निभयं च करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष; बहुपद-समास)

• अनर्थ-नृप-विग्रहः: calamity and conflict among kings
• अनर्थ-नृप-विग्रहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनर्थ + नृप + विग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—अनर्थः नृपविग्रहः यस्मात्/यत्र (निर्णयः: अनर्थं जनयन् नृपाणां विग्रहः) (तत्पुरुष)

• वसु-वैष्णव-विश्वेन्दु-धातृ-भेषु: in the (nakṣatra) groups: Vasu, Vaiṣṇava, Viśve, Indu, Dhātṛ
• वसु-वैष्णव-विश्वेन्दु-धातृ-भेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसु + वैष्णव + विश्वे + इन्दु + धातृ + भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन; समासः—नक्षत्र-समूह-समाहार-द्वन्द्व (वसु, वैष्णव, विश्वे, इन्दु, धातृ) + भेषु (भ = नक्षत्र)

• चरन्: moving/traversing
• चरन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), परस्मैपद, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बुधः: Mercury
• बुधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; ग्रह-नाम (बुध/मर्कुरि)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada the astrological indications within dharma-shastra context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Budha (Mercury)

FAQs

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

It frames Jyotiṣa as a dharmic tool: celestial movements are read as warnings so that rulers and householders can respond with restraint, charity, and worship, reducing harm and restoring order.

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

Though technical in tone, it supports bhakti indirectly: when adverse signs arise (drought, fire, conflict), the faithful are guided to take refuge in Viṣṇu through prayer, vows, and sattvic conduct rather than panic or violence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa—specifically the interpretation of Budha’s transit through defined nakṣatra-groupings and the resulting worldly indications (rainfall, fire-risk, and political stability).