Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 154
Jyotiṣa-śāstra Saṅgraha: Threefold Division, Gaṇita Methods, Muhūrta, and Planetary Reckoning
तेषां शिवघ्नाः शैलाप्ता व्यावर्काजः शरोंगुलैः । अर्कं विधुर्विधुं भूभा छादयत्यथा छन्नकम् ॥ १५४ ॥
teṣāṃ śivaghnāḥ śailāptā vyāvarkājaḥ śaroṃgulaiḥ | arkaṃ vidhurvidhuṃ bhūbhā chādayatyathā channakam || 154 ||
അവരിൽ ശിവഘ്ന ശത്രുക്കളും ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു—പർവ്വതജന്യർ, ചെന്നായയെപ്പോലെ ക്രൂരർ—അംഗുലി-പ്രമാണ അമ്പുകളാൽ സൂര്യനെയും പ്രഹരിച്ചു. ഭൂമിയുടെ പ്രഭ ചന്ദ്രനെ മൂടുന്നതുപോലെ, ചന്ദ്രനും മൂടപ്പെട്ടവനായി തോന്നി।
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara brothers; Moksha-dharma narrative style)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It uses the obscuring of the sun and moon as a symbolic warning: when destructive, anti-dharmic forces rise, even the ‘lights’ of discernment and order appear veiled—urging the seeker to take refuge in dharma and mokṣa-oriented conduct.
Indirectly, it frames a world where cosmic order can be ‘covered’; Bhakti (especially Viṣṇu-bhakti emphasized across Book 1.2) is presented in this section as a stabilizing refuge when external conditions become darkened and confusing.
The verse employs precise metrical/measurement language (aṅgula) and astronomical imagery (Sun/Moon obscuration), resonating with Vedāṅga concerns like Jyotiṣa (celestial phenomena) and Kalpa-style precision in measures—even within a Purāṇic narrative.