Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

वाणेभमार्गणैर्लब्धं द्रोणाद्यं मानमादिशेत् । दीपशंकुतलच्छिद्रघ्नः शंकुर्भैवंभवेन्मुने ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

vāṇebhamārgaṇairlabdhaṃ droṇādyaṃ mānamādiśet | dīpaśaṃkutalacchidraghnaḥ śaṃkurbhaivaṃbhavenmune || 56 ||

Translation

由量杆与量绳所得之标准，当制定自droṇa起的一整套度量。噢，牟尼啊，śaṅku（测桩/日晷针）应为Bhaiva之式——能除去灯光、桩体、地面与孔隙等所致之缺失与误差者。

Word by Word

• वाण-इभ-मार्गणैः: by arrows, elephants, and seekers (as standards)
• वाण-इभ-मार्गणैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाण (प्रातिपदिक) + इभ (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; द्वन्द्व: 'by arrows, elephants, and searchers/seekers' (as comparative standards)

• लब्धम्: obtained
• लब्धम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लभ् (कृदन्त; √लभ् धातु)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; past passive participle (क्त) 'obtained' qualifying 'मानम्'

• द्रोण-आद्यम्: beginning with droṇa
• द्रोण-आद्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्रोण (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; 'beginning with droṇa' qualifying 'मानम्'

• मानम्: a measure/standard
• मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• आदिशेत्: should prescribe
• आदिशेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √आ-दिś् (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular; 'should prescribe/indicate'

• दीप-शङ्कु-तल-च्छिद्र-घ्नः: (that) which determines the base-hole of the lamp-gnomon
• दीप-शङ्कु-तल-च्छिद्र-घ्नः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + शङ्कु (प्रातिपदिक) + तल (प्रातिपदिक) + छिद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + घ्न (कृदन्त; √हन् धातु)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: 'one that strikes (measures) the hole at the base of the lamp-post (gnomon)'

• शङ्कुः: the gnomon/stake
• शङ्कुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्कु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• भा: light/brightness
• भा: Sahakārī (सहकारी/अन्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; 'light/splendour' (here possibly 'shadow-light relation')

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb 'thus'

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

Speaker

Narada (in instruction to the sages; technical-ritual exposition)

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 emphasizes that dharma is upheld not only by intention but also by precision—correct measures and reliable instruments protect ritual and social order from error.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as careful, disciplined service: accurate standards ensure offerings and sacred works are performed properly, reflecting reverence rather than negligence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied pramāṇa (standards of measure) and instrument-craft—calibrating measures like droṇa and using a defect-free śaṅku/peg to avoid procedural errors in ritual and related works.