Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

तत्पुण्यं तिथिसंयुक्तं नक्षत्रं ग्राह्यमुच्यते । अर्द्धरात्रद्वये स्यातां नक्षत्रं च तिथिर्यदि ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

tatpuṇyaṃ tithisaṃyuktaṃ nakṣatraṃ grāhyamucyate | arddharātradvaye syātāṃ nakṣatraṃ ca tithiryadi || 13 ||

Translation

そのナクシャトラ（宿）は、相応のティティ（月日）と相合するとき、吉として採るべき宿であると言われる。もし宿とティティの双方が二度の真夜中にまたがる（両日に及ぶ）なら、その相合する期間をもって儀礼の時とせよ。

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• पुण्यम्: merit/auspiciousness
• पुण्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तिथिसंयुक्तम्: joined with the tithi
• तिथिसंयुक्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तिथि + संयुक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थ (तिथ्या/तिथेः संयुक्तम्)

• नक्षत्रम्: nakṣatra
• नक्षत्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ग्राह्यम्: to be accepted
• ग्राह्यम्: Vidheyavisheshana (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु) + यत् → ग्राह्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive)

• उच्यते: is said/called
• उच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• अर्द्धरात्रद्वये: in the two midnights
• अर्द्धरात्रद्वये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्द्धरात्र + द्वि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; द्विगु (द्वे अर्द्धरात्रे)

• स्याताम्: may be/should occur (two)
• स्याताम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), द्विवचन

• नक्षत्रम्: nakṣatra
• नक्षत्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तिथिः: tithi (lunar day)
• तिथिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• यदि: if
• यदि: Hetu/Condition (हेतु/शर्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: शर्तसूचक-अव्यय (conditional)

Speaker

Narada (teaching within a Vedanga/kalā-style discussion of calendrical selection)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It teaches that puṇya from rites depends on correct kāla-niṇaya (time-determination): the proper Nakṣatra must be taken only when it truly coincides with the intended Tithi, especially when the timing spans midnight.

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

Bhakti is strengthened when worship and vratas are performed at the scripturally valid time; this verse supports disciplined devotion by insisting on accurate tithi–nakṣatra conjunction rather than convenience.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology): a rule for selecting the ‘grāhya’ Nakṣatra based on its conjunction with Tithi, with special attention to cases where both extend across the two midnights.