Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta

Devanagari script

स्नानदानजपादीनां कुर्वतामक्षय फलम् । तत्र कर्कटको ज्ञेयो दक्षिणायनसंक्रमः ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

snānadānajapādīnāṃ kurvatāmakṣaya phalam | tatra karkaṭako jñeyo dakṣiṇāyanasaṃkramaḥ || 20 ||

Translation

ஸ்நானம், தானம், ஜபம் முதலியவற்றைச் செய்பவர்களுக்கு பலன் அழியாததாகிறது. இங்கு சூரியன் ‘கர்க்கடகம்’ (கடகம்) ராசியில் பிரவேசிப்பதே தக்ஷிணாயன-சங்க்ரமம் என அறிய வேண்டும்।

Word by Word

• स्नानदानजपादीनाम्: of bathing, giving, japa, etc.
• स्नानदानजपादीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नानदानजपादि (प्रातिपदिक; स्नान+दान+जप+आदि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• कुर्वताम्: of those performing
• कुर्वताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्तरि कृदन्त (Present Active Participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; ‘of those doing’

• अक्षय: imperishable
• अक्षय: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विधेय/कर्म (contextual)

• तत्र: there/in that context
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• कर्कटको: Karkaṭaka (Cancer sign)
• कर्कटको: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्कटक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृपद

• ज्ञेयः: is to be known
• ज्ञेयः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (Gerundive/यत्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय (to be known)

• दक्षिणायनसंक्रमः: the transition into the southern solstice (dakṣiṇāyana)
• दक्षिणायनसंक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणायनसंक्रम (प्रातिपदिक; दक्षिणायन+संक्रम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It teaches that performing core dharmic acts—snāna, dāna, and japa—at the Dakṣiṇāyana transition yields akṣaya (inexhaustible) merit, highlighting saṃkrānti as a spiritually potent time.

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

While framed as ritual timing, the verse supports bhakti in practice by directing devotees to intensify japa and charity on sacred calendrical thresholds, making devotion steady and fruitful.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology/astronomy): it identifies Dakṣiṇāyana-saṃkrānti specifically with the Sun’s ingress into Karkaṭa (Cancer), linking calendrical astronomy to ritual efficacy.