Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14
Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta
क्षये पूर्वा प्रशस्ता स्याद्रृद्धौ कार्या तथोत्तरा । अर्ध्दरात्रद्वयव्यात्पा तिथिर्नक्षत्रसंयुता ॥ १४ ॥
kṣaye pūrvā praśastā syādrṛddhau kāryā tathottarā | ardhdarātradvayavyātpā tithirnakṣatrasaṃyutā || 14 ||
Apabila tithi sedang menyusut, bahagian awal dianggap baik; apabila tithi sedang meningkat, bahagian akhir hendaklah dipilih untuk melaksanakan upacara. Suatu tithi yang merentasi dua kali tengah malam dan bersatu dengan nakṣatra yang sesuai hendaklah diambil kira dalam penentuan waktu yang tepat.
Narada (teaching traditional kala-nirnaya/auspicious time rules in the Narada Purana’s technical guidance)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches dharmic precision in worship: selecting the correct portion of time (kāla) aligns a rite with cosmic order, making vrata, pūjā, and saṁskāra more effective and free from timing दोष (doṣa).
Bhakti is not only feeling but also disciplined practice; by observing proper tithi and nakṣatra timing, a devotee honors sacred order and performs devotion with care, steadiness, and scriptural alignment.
Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga (astronomical/astrological timekeeping): it gives a rule for choosing the earlier or later part of a tithi depending on kṣaya (decline) or vṛddhi (increase), and notes special consideration when a tithi spans two midnights along with nakṣatra association.