Shloka 34

Tithi-vicara

Determination of Tithi for Fasts, Parana, and Pitri Rites

Devanagari script

शुक्ले पूर्वाह्णिके ग्राह्ये कृष्णे ग्राह्येऽपराह्णिके । अयनं दिनभागाढ्यं संक्रमः षोडशः पलः ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

śukle pūrvāhṇike grāhye kṛṣṇe grāhye'parāhṇike | ayanaṃ dinabhāgāḍhyaṃ saṃkramaḥ ṣoḍaśaḥ palaḥ || 34 ||

Translation

白分（明半月）では午前の時刻を採り、黒分（暗半月）では午後の時刻を採るべきである。アヤナ（ayana）は日分を一部加えて算し、サンクラマ（saṅkrama：太陽の入宮）は十六パラ（pala）と量られる。

Word by Word

• शुक्ले: in the bright fortnight
• शुक्ले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; पक्ष-नाम; अधिकरण

• पूर्वाह्णिके: in the forenoon
• पूर्वाह्णिके: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्वाह्णिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; कालविशेषण — ‘in the forenoon period’

• ग्राह्ये: to be accepted (as the proper time)
• ग्राह्ये: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्राह्य (कृदन्त; √ग्रह् (धातु) ण्यत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; विधेय/निर्देश — ‘to be taken/accepted (as applicable)’

• कृष्णे: in the dark fortnight
• कृष्णे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; पक्ष-नाम; अधिकरण

• ग्राह्ये: to be accepted
• ग्राह्ये: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्राह्य (कृदन्त; √ग्रह् (धातु) ण्यत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विधेय — ‘to be accepted’

• अपराह्णिके: in the afternoon
• अपराह्णिके: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपराह्णिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; कालविशेषण — ‘in the afternoon period’

• अयनम्: ayana (solstice course)
• अयनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विषय/प्रकरण (topic)

• दिन-भाग-आढ्यम्: consisting of a fraction of a day
• दिन-भाग-आढ्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिन (प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक) + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः — ‘rich in (a) portion of a day’ (i.e., consisting of a day-fraction)

• संक्रमः: the transit/ingress (saṅkrama)
• संक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• षोडशः: sixteen
• षोडशः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षोडश (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; संख्याविशेषण — ‘sixteen’ (agreeing with palaḥ)

• पलः: a pala (time unit)
• पलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कालमान (unit of time)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedāṅga/kalā-oriented discussion)

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 emphasizes dharmic precision: aligning rites with correct lunar fortnight and day-part is presented as a way to harmonize human action with cosmic order (kāla), strengthening the sanctity and efficacy of observances.

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

While technical, it supports bhakti-practice by guiding devotees to perform pūjā, vrata, and dāna at traditionally appropriate times—showing that devotion in the Purāṇic tradition is expressed through disciplined, time-conscious worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa (astral/timekeeping) is highlighted: selecting pūrvāhna vs aparāhna based on pakṣa, and defining calendrical markers like ayana and saṅkrama with specific time-units (pala).