Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 146

Graha–Ketu–Utpāta Lakṣaṇas: Solar/Lunar Omens, Comets, Eclipses, and Calendar Rules

Devanagari script

रात्रौ चन्द्र वती राकाप्यमावास्या तथा द्विधा । सिनीवाली चेंदुमती कुहूर्नेंदुमती मता ॥ १४६ ॥

Transliteration

rātrau candra vatī rākāpyamāvāsyā tathā dvidhā | sinīvālī ceṃdumatī kuhūrneṃdumatī matā || 146 ||

Translation

在夜间，这一月日称为“罗迦”(Rākā)；而无月之夜“阿摩婆娑耶”(Amāvāsyā，新月夜)分为两类：称“悉尼瓦利”(Sinīvālī)者被视为“有月”(indumatī)，称“库呼”(Kuhū)者被认为“无月”(非 indumatī)。

Word by Word

• रात्रौ: at night
• रात्रौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे ‘रात्रौ’ = ‘रात्रौ काले’

• चन्द्रवती: (the night) called Candravatī
• चन्द्रवती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्रवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), एकवचन; नाम (तिथि/रात्रि-विशेष)

• राका: Rākā (full-moon night)
• राका: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (पूर्णिमा-रात्रि)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); ‘also/even’

• अमावास्या: Amāvāsyā (new-moon night)
• अमावास्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमावास्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (new-moon night)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); ‘thus/likewise’

• द्विधा: twofold
• द्विधा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्विधा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); ‘in two ways/twofold’

• सिनीवाली: Sinīvālī
• सिनीवाली: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिनीवाली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (तिथि/रात्रि-विशेष)

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

• इन्दुमती: Indumatī
• इन्दुमती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्दुमती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• कुहूः: Kuhū
• कुहूः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुहू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विसर्गान्त रूप; नाम (तिथि/रात्रि-विशेष)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• इन्दुमती: Indumatī
• इन्दुमती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्दुमती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम; ‘कुहूः न इन्दुमती’ इति निषेध

• मता: is considered
• मता: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मत (कृदन्त, √मन्/मन्- ‘to think’/मन्यते)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘considered/held (to be)’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on technical distinctions of lunar nights/observances)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Rākā
• Amāvāsyā
• Sinīvālī
• Kuhū
• Candra (Moon)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes kāla-śuddhi (purity/precision of sacred time): correctly identifying lunar nights like Rākā and the two forms of Amāvāsyā supports accurate performance of dharma, vows, and rites that underpin spiritual progress.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports bhakti-practice indirectly by clarifying when observances and pūjā-based vratas should be timed; disciplined observance (niyama) is presented as an aid to steadiness in devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga (Vedic astronomy/astrology): the verse gives a technical distinction within Amāvāsyā—Sinīvālī (with lunar presence) versus Kuhū (without)—useful for calendrical decisions in ritual and vrata timing.