Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22
Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta
पूर्वमष्टमुहूर्तास्तु ग्राह्याः स्नानजपादिषु । तुलायां चैव मेषे च पूर्वतः परतस्तथा ॥ २२ ॥
pūrvamaṣṭamuhūrtāstu grāhyāḥ snānajapādiṣu | tulāyāṃ caiva meṣe ca pūrvataḥ paratastathā || 22 ||
Para ritos como o banho sagrado e a recitação (japa) de mantras, devem ser aceitos como apropriados os oito primeiros muhūrtas do dia. E, tanto em Tulā (Libra) quanto em Meṣa (Áries), a contagem deve ser tomada como anterior e posterior, respectivamente, segundo a regra correta do tempo.
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that spiritual disciplines like snāna and japa should be aligned with auspicious time (kāla), because right timing supports purity, steadiness of mind, and ritual efficacy.
By directing devotees to perform japa in the most supportive portion of the day, it emphasizes disciplined, time-conscious practice that strengthens daily remembrance and devotion.
Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology): it specifies muhūrta selection and notes timing distinctions connected with the Sun’s transit through Libra (Tulā) and Aries (Meṣa).