Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11
Tithi-Nirṇaya for Vratas: Ekādaśī Rules, Saṅkrānti Punya-kāla, Eclipse Observances, and Prāyaścitta
प्रदोषव्यापिनी ग्राह्या त्वन्यथा निष्फलं भवेत् । अर्द्धरात्रादधो या तु नक्षत्रव्यापिनी तिथिः ॥ ११ ॥
pradoṣavyāpinī grāhyā tvanyathā niṣphalaṃ bhavet | arddharātrādadho yā tu nakṣatravyāpinī tithiḥ || 11 ||
ప్రదోషం వరకు వ్యాపించే తిథినే గ్రహించాలి; లేకపోతే ఫలహీనమవుతుంది. అర్ధరాత్రి తరువాత రాత్రి ఉత్తరార్థంలో నక్షత్రాన్ని వ్యాపించే తిథినే ప్రమాణంగా గ్రహించాలి।
Sanatkumara (in dialogue instruction to Narada on observance rules)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that devotion and ritual observance must be aligned with correct sacred time (kāla); if the tithi is wrongly chosen, the intended spiritual fruit of the vrata or pūjā is said to be lost.
Bhakti is expressed through disciplined observance; the verse emphasizes that sincere worship is supported by proper vrata-timing—showing that devotion is not only emotion but also careful adherence to dharma-based procedure.
Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology): selecting the operative tithi by its extension through pradoṣa and by its overlap with nakṣatra, including the rule referencing the post-midnight portion of the night.