Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 178

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

Devanagari script

वस्वदित्यंवुपुष्याणि विष्णुभं चरसंज्ञितम् । मृद्विंदुमित्रचित्रांत्यमुग्रं पूर्वामघात्रिकम् ॥ १७८ ॥

Transliteration

vasvadityaṃvupuṣyāṇi viṣṇubhaṃ carasaṃjñitam | mṛdviṃdumitracitrāṃtyamugraṃ pūrvāmaghātrikam || 178 ||

Translation

诸类分组宣说如下：婆苏（Vasus）、阿底提耶（Ādityas）与补沙（Puṣya）之组；毗湿奴婆（Viṣṇubha）名为“行”（Cara，移动）；继而为称作Mṛd、Vindu、Mitra以及以Citrā为终的诸组；又有“猛”（Ugra）；并有以Pūrvā与Maghā起首之三宿组。

Word by Word

• vasu-adityam: (the pair) Vasu and Āditya
• vasu-adityam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vasu (प्रातिपदिक) + āditya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (pair) used adjectivally

• puṣyāṇi: Puṣya (asterisms) / Puṣya-nakṣatras
• puṣyāṇi: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• viṣṇu-bham: the Viṣṇu asterism
• viṣṇu-bham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + bha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘(asterism) of Viṣṇu’

• cara-saṃjñitam: is termed ‘moving’ (cara)
• cara-saṃjñitam: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cara (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃjñita (√jñā कृदन्त, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः; saṃjñita = भूतकृदन्त (PPP) ‘named/called’

• mṛdu-indu-mitra-citrā-anta-yam-ugram: (the set) Mṛdu, Indu, Mitra, Citrā, Anta, Yama, and Ugra
• mṛdu-indu-mitra-citrā-anta-yam-ugram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛdu (प्रातिपदिक) + indu (प्रातिपदिक) + mitra (प्रातिपदिक) + citrā (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक) + yama (प्रातिपदिक) + ugra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective list) used adjectivally

• pūrvā-maghā-trikam: the triad (group of three) starting with Pūrvā-Maghā
• pūrvā-maghā-trikam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrvā (प्रातिपदिक) + maghā (प्रातिपदिक) + trika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘the triad beginning with Pūrvā-Maghā’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue instruction to Narada on dharma/vedic classifications)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Vasus
• Adityas
• Vishnu (via the term Viṣṇubha)

FAQs

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

It frames time (nakṣatra-based divisions) as part of dharma-guidance: knowing these classifications helps align actions and vows with cosmic order, supporting disciplined life aimed at mokṣa.

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

Indirectly: by organizing sacred time through Jyotiṣa categories, it supports orderly observance of Viṣṇu-centered vratas and worship, where devotion is strengthened through regular, well-timed practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa Vedāṅga—specifically, technical classification of nakṣatras (e.g., cara/ugra groupings and triads) used to determine suitability of times for rites, vows, and observances.