Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173

Jyotiṣa-śāstra Saṅgraha: Threefold Division, Gaṇita Methods, Muhūrta, and Planetary Reckoning

Devanagari script

याम्योदक्खेटविवरं मानौक्याद्धोल्पकं यदा । यदा भेदोलंबनाद्यं स्फुटार्थं सूर्यपर्ववत् ॥ १७३ ॥

Transliteration

yāmyodakkheṭavivaraṃ mānaukyāddholpakaṃ yadā | yadā bhedolaṃbanādyaṃ sphuṭārthaṃ sūryaparvavat || 173 ||

Translation

เมื่อด้วยการวัดและการสังเกตอย่างรอบคอบ ช่องเปิดทางทิศใต้และทิศเหนือพร้อมส่วนแบ่งของมันเป็นที่เข้าใจอย่างชัดเจน—แยกเด่นดุจช่วงที่ทำเครื่องหมายในวิถีของพระอาทิตย์—เมื่อนั้นเครื่องชี้บอกย่อมเชื่อถือได้เพื่อการกำหนดความหมายอย่างเที่ยงตรง॥๑๗๓॥

Word by Word

• याम्य-उदक्खेट-विवरम्: the southern water-channel gap/opening
• याम्य-उदक्खेट-विवरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याम्य + उदक्खेट + विवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समास: याम्य-उदक्खेट-विवर (तत्पुरुष; दिशावाचक+उपपद)

• मानौक्यात्: from/owing to mānaukya (unclear technical term)
• मानौक्यात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानौक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; ablative singular; दुर्लभ-शब्द

• धोल्पकम्: dholpaka (unclear technical item)
• धोल्पकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धोल्पक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; technical/rare form

• यदा: when
• यदा: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (temporal conjunction)

• यदा: when
• यदा: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (temporal conjunction)

• भेद-ओलम्बन-आद्यम्: beginning with division and suspension/support
• भेद-ओलम्बन-आद्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेद + ओलम्बन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समास: भेद-ओलम्बन-आदि (तत्पुरुष)

• स्फुट-अर्थम्: having clear meaning
• स्फुट-अर्थम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फुट + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: स्फुटः अर्थः यस्य तत्

• सूर्य-पर्व-वत्: like the sun’s nodes/segments
• सूर्य-पर्व-वत्: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सूर्य + पर्व + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानवाचक ‘-वत्’ (comparative indeclinable); समास: सूर्य-पर्व + वत्

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical/disciplinary context within Moksha-Dharma)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that clarity (sphuṭārtha) arises from disciplined measurement and correct supports (olambana), reflecting the Purana’s theme that right knowledge—whether practical or contemplative—strengthens dharma and supports liberation-oriented living.

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

Indirectly, it supports bhakti by stressing accurate determination of time and divisions (e.g., solar markers), which helps devotees observe vows and worship at proper times—making devotional practice steady and well-founded rather than vague.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedanga Jyotisha: the verse points to measurement, divisions, and clear determination related to the sun’s course—core ideas used in calendrical reckoning and ritual timing.