Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam
The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya
तस्य प्रमाणं वक्ष्यामि कालस्य वदतः शृणु । दशभिः पञ्चभिश्चैव निमैषैः परिकीर्तिता ॥ २१ ॥
tasya pramāṇaṃ vakṣyāmi kālasya vadataḥ śṛṇu | daśabhiḥ pañcabhiścaiva nimaiṣaiḥ parikīrtitā || 21 ||
அதன் அளவினை இப்போது கூறுகிறேன்; நான் சொல்லும் கால அளவைக் கேளுங்கள்—அது பத்து மற்றும் ஐந்து, அதாவது பதினைந்து நிமேஷங்களாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It grounds dharma and ritual life in a disciplined understanding of kāla (time), showing that sacred practice depends on precise, traditionally defined measures rather than arbitrary timing.
While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports devotion by establishing the time-units used to observe vrata, pūjā schedules, and auspicious timings—structures that help sustain steady Vishnu-oriented practice.
Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa (time-reckoning): the verse defines a basic unit (nimeṣa-based counting) used as a foundation for larger calendrical and muhurta calculations in Vedic ritual and astrology.