Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

छाया श्रृङ्गोन्नतियुती पातसाधानमीरितम् । जातके राशिभेदाश्च ग्रहयोनिश्च योनिजम् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

chāyā śrṛṅgonnatiyutī pātasādhānamīritam | jātake rāśibhedāśca grahayoniśca yonijam || 4 ||

Translation

ഛായാ-ശങ്കു, ശൃംഗ-യന്ത്രം, ഉന്നതി-മാപനം മുതലായവകൊണ്ട് ‘പാത’ (അവനതി) നിർണ്ണയിക്കുന്ന വിധി വിവരിച്ചു. ജാതകത്തിലും രാശിഭേദങ്ങൾ, ഗ്രഹ-യോനി, അവയിൽ നിന്നു ജനിക്കുന്ന യോനിജം എന്നിവ വ്യാഖ്യാനിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• छाया: shadow
• छाया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• शृङ्ग-उन्नति-युती: having horn (gnomon) and elevation
• शृङ्ग-उन्नति-युती: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + उन्नति (प्रातिपदिक) + युतिन्/युती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘छाया’)

• पात-साधानम्: means of computing declination/fall (pāta)
• पात-साधानम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात (प्रातिपदिक) + साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन; सूची/विषय-निर्देश (item in enumeration)

• ईरितम्: is stated/declared
• ईरितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईर् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कथितम्/उक्तम्’

• जातके: in (the section on) horoscopy/nativity
• जातके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• राशि-भेदाः: divisions/types of zodiac signs
• राशि-भेदाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राशि (प्रातिपदिक) + भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

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

• ग्रह-योनिः: origin/source of planets
• ग्रह-योनिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक) + योनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

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

• योनि-जम्: that which is born from the source (i.e., derivations)
• योनि-जम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योनि (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन; ‘योनेः जातम्’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It frames Jyotiṣa as a disciplined, measurable Vedāṅga—linking precise astronomical calculation (shadow/elevation) with responsible interpretation in a jātaka, supporting dharma-guided living within Mokṣa-oriented teaching.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing accurate knowledge and right discernment in life-decisions, it supports a sattvic, dharma-aligned life that can be dedicated to Vishnu-bhakti without superstition or error.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga—use of chāyā (shadow/gnomon) and elevation measurements to compute astronomical parameters (pāta), and applying rāśi distinctions and graha-yoni classifications in birth-chart interpretation.