Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

उपोषितव्यं नक्षत्रं येनास्तं याति भास्करः । तिथिनक्षत्रसंयोगविहितव्रतकर्मणि ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

upoṣitavyaṃ nakṣatraṃ yenāstaṃ yāti bhāskaraḥ | tithinakṣatrasaṃyogavihitavratakarmaṇi || 10 ||

Translation

تِتھی‑نکشتر کے سنگم سے مقرر ورت‑کرم میں جس نکشتر کے وقت بھاسکر غروب ہوتا ہے، اسی نکشتر میں روزہ/اپواس رکھنا چاہیے۔

Word by Word

• upoṣitavyam: to be fasted (to be observed)
• upoṣitavyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-√vas (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्)
• Form: Kṛtya (तव्यत्; gerundive), Napuṃsakaliṅga, Prathamā/Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; 'to be fasted/observed as upavāsa'

• nakṣatram: the lunar mansion (nakṣatra)
• nakṣatram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nakṣatra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Prathamā/Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• yena: by which
• yena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक; सर्वनाम)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā vibhakti (3rd/तृतीया), Ekavacana; करण (instrumental: 'by which')

• astam: to setting (sunset)
• astam: Gati/Karma (गति/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; गत्यर्थ-उपपद (goal: 'to setting')

• yāti: goes
• yāti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (present), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• bhāskaraḥ: the sun
• bhāskaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāskara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• tithi-nakṣatra-saṃyoga-vihita-vrata-karmaṇi: in the vow-rite prescribed by the tithi–nakṣatra conjunction
• tithi-nakṣatra-saṃyoga-vihita-vrata-karmaṇi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tithi + nakṣatra + saṃyoga + vihita (√dhā/√vidh?; क्त) + vrata + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास (multi-member tatpuruṣa); Saptamī vibhakti, Ekavacana; अधिकरण: 'in the rite prescribed by the conjunction of tithi and nakṣatra'

Speaker

Narada (teaching within a vrata-vidhi context; traditional dialogue setting with Sanatkumara lineage is implied for this section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Bhaskara (Surya)

FAQs

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

It teaches that a vrata is not only intention but also correct sacred timing—fasting should align with the prescribed tithi–nakṣatra combination and be carried through until the Sun’s setting, making the observance ritually complete.

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

By emphasizing disciplined vrata practice, it supports bhakti through regulated worship—devotion expressed as a timed, rule-based offering of self-control (upavāsa) dedicated to the deity according to śāstric injunction.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga: determining ritual eligibility by tithi–nakṣatra saṃyoga and using sunset (bhāskara-asta) as the practical boundary for completing the fast.