Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

Jyotiṣa-śāstra Saṅgraha: Threefold Division, Gaṇita Methods, Muhūrta, and Planetary Reckoning

Devanagari script

इष्टकर्मवधेमूलं च्युतं मिश्रात्कलांतरे । मानघ्नकालश्चातीतकालाघ्नफलसंहृताः ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

iṣṭakarmavadhemūlaṃ cyutaṃ miśrātkalāṃtare | mānaghnakālaścātītakālāghnaphalasaṃhṛtāḥ || 39 ||

Translation

ഇഷ്ടകർമ്മങ്ങളുടെ പുണ്യനാശത്തിന്റെ മൂലം, മിശ്രഭാവത്തിൽ നിന്നു ജനിച്ചതെങ്കിൽ, കാലാന്തരത്തിൽ തന്നെ അകന്നു വീഴും. അഹങ്കാരം തകർക്കുന്ന കാലം വന്നാൽ, മുമ്പേ കാലം ക്ഷയിപ്പിച്ചിരുന്ന ഫലങ്ങൾ മുഴുവനായി തീർന്നു പോകുന്നു।

Word by Word

• इष्टकर्मवधेमूलम्: the root/base for the killing (subtraction) of the desired operation/result
• इष्टकर्मवधेमूलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इष्ट + कर्म + वध + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (singular); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative): इष्टस्य कर्मणः वधे मूलम्

• च्युतम्: fallen/removed; subtracted
• च्युतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: च्युत (कृदन्त; √च्यु (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत् (past passive participle)

• मिश्रात्: from the mixture/combined quantity
• मिश्रात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (neut./masc.), पञ्चमी विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन

• कलान्तरे: in another part/interval (of a kalā)
• कलान्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलान्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: कलायाः अन्तरम्

• मानघ्नकालः: the time-factor that cancels/destroys the māna (measure)
• मानघ्नकालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानघ्न + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: मानं घ्नन् (नाशयन्) इति मानघ्नः, तस्य कालः

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

• अतीतकालाघ्नफलसंहृताः: (those) collected results that eliminate past-time (effects)
• अतीतकालाघ्नफलसंहृताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतीतकाल + अघ्न + फल + संहृत (कृदन्त; √हृ (धातु) + सम् + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: अतीतकालस्य अघ्नः (नाशकः) फलस्य संहृताः (समाहृताः/संगृहीताः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-dharma dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that ritual merit is time-bound and can be undermined when actions are “mixed” with ego or worldly motives; time ultimately exhausts such fruits, urging a turn toward moksha-oriented practice.

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

By showing the fragility of time-limited ritual rewards, it indirectly points to steadier spiritual refuge—single-pointed devotion and surrender—rather than prideful reliance on one’s ritual accomplishments.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A key ritual principle: the “phala” of karma depends on purity of intention and proper conditions; mixed motivations and the factor of kāla (timing/seasonal ripening) affect the fruition and eventual depletion of results.