Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8
Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta
अपराह्णाच्च पूर्वोह्णं ग्राह्यं श्रेष्टत्तरं यतः । असंभवे व्रतादीनां यदि पौर्वाह्णिकी तिथिः ॥ ८ ॥
aparāhṇācca pūrvohṇaṃ grāhyaṃ śreṣṭattaraṃ yataḥ | asaṃbhave vratādīnāṃ yadi paurvāhṇikī tithiḥ || 8 ||
अपराह्णापेक्षा पूर्वाह्ण ग्राह्य, कारण तो अधिक श्रेष्ठ मानला आहे. व्रतादि करणे शक्य नसेल, तर पूर्वाह्णात येणारी तिथीच ग्राह्य करावी।
Narada (teaching ritual timing principles within Dharma/Vrata context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It emphasizes that Dharma is upheld by correct observance—choosing the proper time (kāla) for a vow is itself part of the vow’s purity and efficacy.
By guiding devotees to perform vratas at the most auspicious time, it supports disciplined worship and steadiness in devotional practice, which strengthens bhakti through proper niyama (religious restraint).
Jyotiṣa/Vedāṅga-based ritual calendrics: determining which tithi to ‘take’ (grāhya) based on day-parts (pūrvāhṇa/aparāhṇa) when scheduling vratas and related rites.