Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13
Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta
तत्पुण्यं तिथिसंयुक्तं नक्षत्रं ग्राह्यमुच्यते । अर्द्धरात्रद्वये स्यातां नक्षत्रं च तिथिर्यदि ॥ १३ ॥
tatpuṇyaṃ tithisaṃyuktaṃ nakṣatraṃ grāhyamucyate | arddharātradvaye syātāṃ nakṣatraṃ ca tithiryadi || 13 ||
തിഥിയോടു ചേർന്ന നക്ഷത്രം തന്നെയാണ് പുണ്യവും ഗ്രാഹ്യവും എന്നു പറയുന്നു. നക്ഷത്രവും തിഥിയും രണ്ടും രണ്ടു അർദ്ധരാത്രികളിലായി വ്യാപിച്ചാൽ, അവയുടെ സംയോഗകാലം തന്നെയാണ് കർമത്തിനായി സ്വീകരിക്കേണ്ടത്.
Narada (teaching within a Vedanga/kalā-style discussion of calendrical selection)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches that puṇya from rites depends on correct kāla-niṇaya (time-determination): the proper Nakṣatra must be taken only when it truly coincides with the intended Tithi, especially when the timing spans midnight.
Bhakti is strengthened when worship and vratas are performed at the scripturally valid time; this verse supports disciplined devotion by insisting on accurate tithi–nakṣatra conjunction rather than convenience.
Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology): a rule for selecting the ‘grāhya’ Nakṣatra based on its conjunction with Tithi, with special attention to cases where both extend across the two midnights.