Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

छत्रध्वजपताकाद्यसन्निभस्तिमितैर्ध्वनैः । रविमण्डलगैर्धूम्रैः सस्फुलिंगैर्जगत् क्षयः ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

chatradhvajapatākādyasannibhastimitairdhvanaiḥ | ravimaṇḍalagairdhūmraiḥ sasphuliṃgairjagat kṣayaḥ || 5 ||

Translation

傘蓋や旗・幡に似た、こもって詰まるような音が起こり、火花を交えた煙の塊が太陽の円盤を渡ってゆくならば—それは世界の滅びが予告される徴である。

Word by Word

• छत्र-ध्वज-पताका-आदि-सन्निभैः: by (things) resembling umbrellas, flags, banners, etc.
• छत्र-ध्वज-पताका-आदि-सन्निभैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छत्र + ध्वज + पताका + आदि + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः: छत्रध्वजपताकादिसन्निभ = 'resembling umbrellas, flags, banners, etc.'

• स्तिमितैः: by still/steady
• स्तिमितैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्तिमित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• ध्वनैः: by sounds
• ध्वनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• रवि-मण्डल-गैः: by those in the sun’s disk
• रवि-मण्डल-गैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रवि + मण्डल + ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः: रविमण्डलग = 'moving/being in the sun’s orb'

• धूम्रैः: by smoky (vapors)
• धूम्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• स-स्फुलिङ्गैः: with sparks
• स-स्फुलिङ्गैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (सह) + स्फुलिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः: सस्फुलिङ्ग = 'with sparks'

• जगत्: the world
• जगत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• क्षयः: destruction/decline
• क्षयः: Samanaadhikarana (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate nominative)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue, instructing Narada on dharma and moksha topics, including dissolution-portents)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Surya (Ravi)

FAQs

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

It frames frightening cosmic omens—smoke veiling the Sun and spark-filled clouds—as reminders of impermanence, urging vairāgya (detachment) and a turn toward mokṣa-oriented living.

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

By emphasizing the fragility of the created order, it indirectly strengthens śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in the eternal—Bhagavān—so devotion is grounded in the insight that worldly supports can dissolve.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with Jyotiṣa-style omen reading (nimitta) centered on celestial phenomena—especially abnormal appearances around the Sun—used in Purāṇic tradition to interpret large-scale upheaval.