Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

संहिताशास्त्ररूपं च ग्रहचारोऽब्दलक्षणम् । तिथिवासरनक्षत्रयोगतिथ्यर्द्धसंज्ञकाः ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

saṃhitāśāstrarūpaṃ ca grahacāro'bdalakṣaṇam | tithivāsaranakṣatrayogatithyarddhasaṃjñakāḥ || 8 ||

Translation

其内容涵摄《Saṃhitā-śāstra》（汇编之学）的体例、诸行星之运行，以及一年之特征——tithi（月日）、vāra（星期）、nakṣatra（宿）、yoga，并包括关于半 tithi（tithy-arddha）的专门称谓。

Word by Word

• संहिता-शास्त्र-रूपम्: the form/nature of the Saṃhitā-śāstra
• संहिता-शास्त्र-रूपम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संहिता (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• ग्रह-चारः: motion/transit of planets
• ग्रह-चारः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक) + चार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• अब्द-लक्षणम्: characteristics of the year
• अब्द-लक्षणम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तिथि-वासर-नक्षत्र-योग-तिथि-अर्द्ध-संज्ञकाः: (topics) termed tithi, weekday, nakṣatra, yoga, tithi-half, etc.
• तिथि-वासर-नक्षत्र-योग-तिथि-अर्द्ध-संज्ञकाः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तिथि (प्रातिपदिक) + वासर (प्रातिपदिक) + नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + योग (प्रातिपदिक) + तिथि (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्द्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + संज्ञक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष; विशेषण (elliptic: ‘(विषयाः) ...संज्ञकाः’)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in 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 sanctifies time-reckoning as a dharmic tool—showing that correct knowledge of tithi, vāra, nakṣatra, and yoga supports properly timed rites, vows, and sacred observances.

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

By emphasizing calendrical markers, it indirectly supports bhakti practice through proper scheduling of vratas and worship days, so devotional acts align with prescribed sacred times.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astronomy/astrology): planetary motions (graha-cāra), definition of the year (abda-lakṣaṇa), and core pañcāṅga elements—tithi, vāra, nakṣatra, and yoga—plus half-tithi terminology.