Shloka 36

Devanagari script

ज्ञात्वा विप्रास्तिथिं सम्यक्सांवत्सरसमीरिताम् । कर्तव्यो ह्युपवासस्तु अन्यथा नरकं व्रजेत् ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

jñātvā viprāstithiṃ samyaksāṃvatsarasamīritām | kartavyo hyupavāsastu anyathā narakaṃ vrajet || 36 ||

Translation

ಓ ವಿಪ್ರರೇ, ಸಾಂವತ್ಸರ ಗಣನೆಯಂತೆ ಹೇಳಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ತಿಥಿಯನ್ನು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿದು ಉಪವಾಸವನ್ನು ನಿಶ್ಚಯವಾಗಿ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು; ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ನರಕಗತಿ ಉಂಟಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

Word by Word

• jñātvā: having known
• jñātvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा, धातु) → jñātvā (कृदन्त)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), indeclinable: 'having known'

• viprāḥ: brahmins
• viprāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• tithim: the lunar day (tithi)
• tithim: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tithi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग)

• samyak: properly/correctly
• samyak: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• sāṃvatsara-samīritām: as stated for the year/annual (rule)
• sāṃvatsara-samīritām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāṃvatsara (प्रातिपदिक) + samīrita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Feminine; Tatpuruṣa: 'yearly-mentioned'; samīrita = PPP (क्त) of sam-√īr (सम्+ईर्)

• kartavyaḥ: should be done
• kartavyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kṛ (कृ, धातु) → kartavya (कृदन्त)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Masculine; Gerundive (तव्यत्): 'to be done/should be done'

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), reason/emphasis

• upavāsaḥ: fasting
• upavāsaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upavāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• anyathā: otherwise
• anyathā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anyathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण): 'otherwise'

• narakam: hell
• narakam: Karma (कर्म/object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• vrajet: would go
• vrajet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vraj (व्रज्, धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada

Speaker

Narada (teaching the assembled brāhmaṇas in a tirtha/vrata context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (general upavāsa instruction)

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"Measured instruction intensifies into warning: correct tithi-knowledge enables proper fasting; negligence leads to naraka."}

FAQs

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

It stresses dharma through precision in vrata: knowing the correct tithi (as authoritatively computed) and then fasting is treated as a binding religious duty, with serious karmic consequences for negligent observance.

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

By insisting on disciplined upavāsa aligned to the proper tithi, it frames devotion as regulated practice—bhakti expressed through faithful observance of sacred time and vow, not merely emotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to Jyotiṣa (Vedic astronomy/astrology) via tithi and sāṃvatsara reckoning—accurate calendrical determination is required before performing a vrata such as fasting.