Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70

The Description of the Skanda Purāṇa’s Anukramaṇī

Index/Summary

Devanagari script

शिवरात्रैश्च महिमा प्रदोषव्रतकीर्तनम् । सोमवारव्रतं चापि सीमंतिन्याः कथानकम् ॥ ७० ॥

Transliteration

śivarātraiśca mahimā pradoṣavratakīrtanam | somavāravrataṃ cāpi sīmaṃtinyāḥ kathānakam || 70 ||

Translation

ഇവിടെ ശിവരാത്രി വ്രതങ്ങളുടെ മഹിമ, പ്രദോഷവ്രതത്തിന്റെ കീർത്തനം, തിങ്കളാഴ്ച വ്രതം, സീമന്തിനി എന്ന സ്ത്രീയുടെ കഥയും വിവരിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• शिवरात्रैः: by/with the Śiva-nights (Śivarātris)
• शिवरात्रैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिवरात्रि (प्रातिपदिक) = शिव + रात्रि
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/करण), बहुवचन (pl.); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शिवस्य रात्रिः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• महिमा: the greatness (glory)
• महिमा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.)

• प्रदोषव्रतकीर्तनम्: the narration/praise of the Pradoṣa-vow
• प्रदोषव्रतकीर्तनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रदोष-व्रत-कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन (sg.); समासः—तत्पुरुष (प्रदोषव्रतस्य कीर्तनम्)

• सोमवारव्रतम्: the Monday vow
• सोमवारव्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमवार-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन (sg.); समासः—तत्पुरुष (सोमवारे व्रतम् / सोमवारस्य व्रतम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावना/समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (particle: also/even)

• सीमंतिन्याः: of the married woman (sīmantinī)
• सीमंतिन्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीमन्तिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन (sg.)

• कथानकम्: the story/episode
• कथानकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथानक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन (sg.)

Speaker

Sage Narada (in an anukramaṇikā/contents-style enumeration, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framing)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śivarātri; Pradoṣa-vrata; Somavāra-vrata

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Śivarātri
• Pradoṣa Vrata
• Somavāra Vrata
• Sīmaṃtinī

FAQs

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

It functions as a contents-marker, highlighting that this section teaches vrata-dharma through the praised merits (mahimā) of Śivarātri, Pradoṣa, and Somavāra observances, reinforced with an illustrative kathā (Sīmaṃtinī’s story).

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

By foregrounding Śiva-related observances (Śivarātri, Pradoṣa, Somavāra), it frames bhakti as disciplined worship expressed through periodic vows, praise (kīrtana), and listening to sacred narratives that strengthen faith and practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual timing and calendrical discipline are implied—especially weekday-based observances (Somavāra) and twilight-period rites (Pradoṣa)—which connect to practical jyotiṣa-style scheduling used in vrata performance.