Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 98

Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā

Devanagari script

वृतो वातकफी प्राज्ञो मंदवाक् शुभदृक् शशी । क्रृरदृक्तरुणो भौमः पैत्तिकश्चपलस्तथा ॥ ९८ ॥

Transliteration

vṛto vātakaphī prājño maṃdavāk śubhadṛk śaśī | krṛradṛktaruṇo bhaumaḥ paittikaścapalastathā || 98 ||

Translation

‘ശശി’ (ചന്ദ്രൻ) വൃത്താകാരൻ, വാത-കഫപ്രധാനൻ, പ്രാജ്ഞൻ, മന്ദവാക്യൻ, ശുഭദൃഷ്ടിയുള്ളവൻ എന്നു പറയുന്നു. ‘ഭൗമ’ (ചൊവ്വ) ക്രൂരദൃഷ്ടിയുള്ളവൻ, യുവാവ്, പിത്തപ്രധാനൻ, ചപലൻ.

Word by Word

• वृतः: covered, enclosed
• वृतः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृत (वृ धातु, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त—‘covered/enclosed’

• वातकफी: of vāta-kapha constitution
• वातकफी: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वातकफिन् (प्रातिपदिक) < वात + कफ + इन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण—वात-कफ-प्रधान (vāta and kapha)

• प्राज्ञः: wise, intelligent
• प्राज्ञः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मन्दवाक्: soft-spoken, slow of speech
• मन्दवाक्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्दवाच् (प्रातिपदिक) < मन्द + वाच्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—वाच्-शब्दः (irregular stem वाक्)

• शुभदृक्: having auspicious sight/eyes
• शुभदृक्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभदृश् (प्रातिपदिक) < शुभ + दृश्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—‘शुभा दृक् यस्य’

• शशी: the Moon (Śaśī)
• शशी: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शशिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृपद

• क्रूरदृक्: having harsh/cruel eyes
• क्रूरदृक्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रूरदृश् (प्रातिपदिक) < क्रूर + दृश्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—‘क्रूरा दृक् यस्य’

• तरुणः: young
• तरुणः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• भौमः: Mars (Bhauma)
• भौमः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भौम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृपद

• पैत्तिकः: bilious (pitta-dominant)
• पैत्तिकः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पैत्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• चपलः: restless, fickle
• चपलः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चपल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• तथा: thus, also
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/प्रकार (Adverbial/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थे (adverb: ‘thus/also’)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical, Vedanga-like mode within Moksha-Dharma discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Shashi (Moon)
• Bhauma (Mars)

FAQs

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

It links observable planetary qualities (graha-svabhāva) with human temperament, encouraging discernment and self-regulation—useful for dharmic living that supports inner steadiness conducive to mokṣa.

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

Indirectly: by understanding restlessness (capalatā) and doṣa-driven tendencies, a devotee can adopt disciplined habits and calmer speech/vision, making the mind fit for sustained Viṣṇu-bhakti and japa.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa-style profiling of planets (Moon and Mars) and their bodily/mental correspondences, also echoing Āyurvedic doṣa language (vāta/kapha and pitta) for practical assessment.