Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

Kalpa-Lakṣaṇa and Gṛhya-Kalpa: Classifications, Purifications, Implements, and Spatial Rite-Design

Devanagari script

नक्षत्राधीश्वराख्यानं विस्तरेण यथातथम् । नक्षत्रकल्पे निर्दिष्टं ज्ञातव्यं तदिहापि च ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

nakṣatrādhīśvarākhyānaṃ vistareṇa yathātatham | nakṣatrakalpe nirdiṣṭaṃ jñātavyaṃ tadihāpi ca || 3 ||

Translation

เรื่องราวโดยพิสดารของเทพผู้เป็นเจ้าแห่งนักษัตรทั้งหลาย ได้กล่าวไว้ตามจริงใน “นักษัตร-คัลปะ”; คำสอนนั้นเองพึงเข้าใจในที่นี้ด้วย.

Word by Word

• नक्षत्राधीश्वराख्यानम्: the account of the lords of the constellations
• नक्षत्राधीश्वराख्यानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र + अधीश्वर + आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुपद-षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'नक्षत्राणाम् अधीश्वराणाम् आख्यानम्'

• विस्तरेण: in detail/at length
• विस्तरेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विस्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• यथा: as/how
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable (अव्यय), manner/comparison

• तथम्: so/accordingly
• तथम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable (अव्यय), correlative to यथा

• नक्षत्रकल्पे: in the Nakṣatra-kalpa
• नक्षत्रकल्पे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र + कल्प (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'नक्षत्राणां कल्पे'

• निर्दिष्टम्: has been indicated/described
• निर्दिष्टम्: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण; predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि+दिश् (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृदन्त), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ज्ञातव्यम्: is to be known
• ज्ञातव्यम्: Vidheyā (विधेय; obligation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive/obligatory participle (तव्यत्), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• इह: here
• इह: Desha-adhikarana (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक अव्यय)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), inclusion/emphasis

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-बोधक)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the discourse; internal teaching attributed to the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It validates that the Purana’s teaching aligns with established Jyotiṣa tradition, urging the reader to rely on authoritative, precise knowledge when applying dharma (especially time-related observances).

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

Indirectly: it supports bhakti-oriented vows and worship by pointing to correct calendrical and nakṣatra-based timing, ensuring devotional practices are performed in harmony with śāstra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa—specifically the doctrine of nakṣatra-adhipatis (presiding rulers of lunar mansions) and the use of a technical source (Nakṣatra-kalpa) for ritual/observance calculations.