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Narada Purana (Jyotisha Selections) · Chapter 5
ग्रहचारः केतवश्च
This chapter lists comets and planet portents for the world at large. It begins with the year lord and the signs seen on the Sun and the Moon.
Then it takes the planets one by one: Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. It tells what their paths and colours tend to bring. After that come eclipses and the seven gods of the eclipse seasons. It ends with the kinds of comets and their results.
The English below is our translation from the Sanskrit.
निःस्वनावृष्टिफणिभिर्वृष्टिः स्वास्थ्यं महोत्सवः ।महार्घमपि संपत्तिर्देशनाशोऽतिवर्षणम् ॥ ६३ ॥
Poverty, no rain and snakes. Rain. Good health. A great festival. High prices, yet plenty. Harm to the land. Too much rain.
Simple meaning: More of Jupiter's star-by-star results: drought, rain, health, festivals, high prices, harm to the land and floods.
अवैरं रोगमभयं रोगभीः सस्यवर्षणे ।रोगो धान्यं नभोऽदृष्टिमघाद्यृक्षगते गुरौ ॥ ६४ ॥
No enmity. Illness. No fear. Fear of illness. Crops and rain. Illness. Grain. A sky without rain. These are the results when Jupiter is in the stars from Magha onward.
Simple meaning: Jupiter's results star by star from Magha mix illness, safety, crops, grain and dry skies.
सौम्यमध्यमयाम्येषु मार्गेषु वीथिकात्रयम् ।शुक्रस्य दस्रभाज्ज्ञेयं पर्यायैश्च त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः ॥ ६५ ॥
In the northern, middle and southern paths there are three lanes each. Venus's lanes are counted from Ashvini, in three rounds of three nakshatras (stars) each.
Simple meaning: Venus moves in three paths with three lanes each. They are counted from Ashvini in groups of three stars.
नागेभैरावताश्चैव वृषभोष्ट्रखराह्वयाः ।मृगाजदहनाख्याः स्युर्याम्यांता वीथयो नव ॥ ६६ ॥
The nine lanes, ending with the southern one, are named Naga, Gaja, Airavata, Vrishabha, Ushtra, Khara, Mriga, Aja and Dahana.
Simple meaning: The nine lanes of Venus are named after the snake, elephant, bull, camel, donkey, deer, goat and fire.
सौम्यमार्गे च तिसृषु चरन्वीथिषु भार्गवः ।धान्यार्थवृष्टिसस्यानां परिपूर्तिं करोति हि ॥ ६७ ॥
Venus, moving in the three lanes of the northern path, brings full grain, wealth, rain and crops.
Simple meaning: Venus in the northern lanes tends to bring plenty of grain, wealth and rain.
मध्यमार्गे च तिसृषु सर्वमप्यधमं फलम् ।पूर्वस्यां दिशि मेघस्तु शुभदः पितृपंचके ॥ ६८ ॥
In the three lanes of the middle path, every result is poor. In the east, in the five stars from Magha, the clouds bring good.
Simple meaning: Venus in the middle lanes gives poor results. Seen in the east in the Magha group, it brings good rain.
स्वातित्रये पश्चिमायां तस्यां शुक्रस्तथाविधः ।विपरीते त्वनावृष्टिर्वृष्टिवृद्बुधसंयुतः ॥ ६९ ॥
In the three stars from Svati, Venus seen in the west is the same. In the opposite case there is no rain. Joined with Mercury, Venus adds rain.
Simple meaning: Venus in the west in the Svati group also brings rain. The opposite brings drought; Mercury adds rain.
कृष्णाष्टम्यां चतुर्दश्याममायां च यदा सितः ।उदयास्तमनं याति तदा जलमयी मही ॥ ७० ॥
Venus may rise or set on the 8th or 14th tithi (moon day) of the dark half. Or it may do so on the new moon day. Then the earth is full of water.
Simple meaning: Venus rising or setting on those days tends to bring heavy rain.
मिथः सप्तमराशिस्थौ पश्चात्प्राग्वीथिसंस्थितौ ।गुरुशुक्रावनावृष्टिदुर्भिक्षसमरप्रदौ ॥ ७१ ॥
Jupiter and Venus may stand in signs 7th from each other. One is in a western lane, one in an eastern lane. Then they bring no rain, famine and war.
Simple meaning: Jupiter and Venus opposite each other, one west and one east, can bring drought, famine and war.
कुजज्ञजीवरविजाः शुक्रस्याग्रेसरा यदि ।युद्धांतिवायुर्दुर्भिक्षजलनाशकरा मताः ॥ ७२ ॥
Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn may go ahead of Venus. They are held to bring war, strong wind, famine and loss of water.
Simple meaning: Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn moving ahead of Venus can bring war, storms, famine and drought.
जलमित्रार्यमाहींद्रनक्षत्रेषु सुभिक्षकृत् ।सच्छस्त्रावृष्टिदो मूलेऽहिर्बुध्न्यांत्यभयोर्भयम् ॥ ७३ ॥
In the stars of Jala, Mitra, Aryaman, Ahi and Indra, [Venus] brings plenty of food. In Mula it brings war and no rain. In Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati there is fear.
Simple meaning: Venus in some stars brings plenty of food, in Mula war and drought, and in two others fear.
श्रवणानिलहस्तार्द्राभरणीभाग्यभेषु च ।चरञ्छनैश्चरो नृणां सुभिक्षारोग्यसस्यकृत् ॥ ७४ ॥
When Saturn moves in Shravana, Svati, Hasta, Ardra, Bharani and Purva Phalguni, he brings people good food, health and crops.
Simple meaning: Saturn in these stars tends to bring good food, health and crops.
मुखे चैकं गुदे द्वे च त्रीणि के नयने द्वयम् ।हृदये पञ्च ऋक्षाणि वामहस्ते चतुष्टयम् ॥ ७५ ॥
One nakshatra (star) goes on the face and two on the anus. Three go on the head and two on the eyes. Five go on the heart and four on the left hand.
Simple meaning: Saturn's figure places stars on the face, anus, head, eyes, heart and left hand.
वामपादे तथा त्रीणि दक्षिणे त्रीणि भानि च ।चत्वारि दक्षिणे हस्ते जन्मभाद्रविजस्थितिः ॥ ७६ ॥
Three stars go on the left foot and three on the right foot. Four go on the right hand. Saturn's place is counted from the birth star.
Simple meaning: Stars are placed on the feet and right hand. Saturn's place is counted from the birth star.
रोगो लाभस्तथा हानिर्लाभः सौख्यं च बंधनम् ।आयासः श्रेष्ठयात्रा च धनलाभः क्रमात्फलम् ॥ ७७ ॥
The results, in order, are illness, gain, loss, gain, comfort, bondage, hard work, a good journey and gain of money.
Simple meaning: Saturn's results go in order: illness, gain, loss, gain, comfort, bondage, hard work, a good journey and money.
बहुधारविजस्त्वेतद्वक्रगः फलमीदृशम् ।करोत्येव समः साम्यं शीघ्रगेषूत्क्रमात्फलम् ॥ ७८ ॥
Saturn moving backward gives these results many times over. At even speed he gives them as they are. When fast, he gives them reversed.
Simple meaning: Retrograde Saturn makes these results stronger. Fast Saturn turns them the other way.
विष्णुचक्रोत्कृत्तशिराः पङ्गुः पीयूषपानतः ।अमृत्युतां गतस्तत्र खेटत्वे परिकल्पितः ॥ ७९ ॥
Vishnu's discus severed [Rahu's] head and left him without limbs. Yet the nectar he drank made him immortal. So he was made a planet there.
Simple meaning: Vishnu's discus severed Rahu's head, but nectar made him immortal and he became a planet.
वरणधातुरर्केन्दू तुदते सर्वपर्वणि ।विक्षेपावनतेर्वंगाद्राहुर्दूरगतस्तयोः ॥ ८० ॥
By a boon, [Rahu] troubles the Sun and the Moon at every parva (junction day). Because of latitude and parallax, Rahu is sometimes far from them.
Simple meaning: Rahu troubles the Sun and Moon at new and full moons, but at times is too far to eclipse them.
षण्मासवृद्ध्या ग्रहणं शोधयेद्रविचंद्रयोः ।पर्वेशास्तु तथा सत्यदेवा रव्यादितः क्रमात् ॥ ८१ ॥
Work out the eclipses of the Sun and Moon by stepping six months at a time. The lords of the parvas (junction days) are seven gods, in order from the Sun.
Simple meaning: Eclipses of the Sun and Moon are found six months apart. Seven gods rule the eclipse seasons in turn.
ब्रह्मेन्द्विंद्रधनाधीशवरुणाग्नियमाह्वयाः ।पशुसस्यद्विजातीनां वृद्धिर्ब्राह्मे तु पर्वणि ॥ ८२ ॥
They are named Brahma, Soma, Indra, Kubera, Varuna, Agni and Yama. In a Brahma parva (junction day), animals, crops and the twice-born grow.
Simple meaning: A junction day ruled by Brahma brings growth to animals, crops and the twice-born.
तद्वदेव फलं सौम्ये श्लेष्मपीडा च पर्वणि ।विरोधो भूभुजां दुःखमैंद्रे सस्यविनाशनम् ॥ ८३ ॥
The result is the same in Soma's [parva (junction day)]. There is also trouble from phlegm. In Indra's, kings may quarrel, sorrow may come and crops may be harmed.
Simple meaning: A junction day of Soma gives much the same, with phlegm trouble. Indra's may bring quarrels and crop loss.
धनिनां धनहानिः स्यात्कौबेरं धान्यवर्धनम् ।नृपाणामशिवं क्षेममितरेषां च वारुणे ॥ ८४ ॥
In Kubera's [parva (junction day)], rich people lose wealth, but grain grows. Varuna's brings harm to kings and welfare to others.
Simple meaning: Kubera's eclipse costs the rich their money but grows grain. Varuna's harms kings but helps others.
प्रवर्षणं सस्यवृद्धिः क्षेमं हौताशपर्वणि ।अनावृष्टिः सस्यहानिर्दुर्भिक्षं याम्यपर्वणि ॥ ८५ ॥
Agni's parva (junction day) brings heavy rain, growing crops and welfare. Yama's brings no rain, crop loss and famine.
Simple meaning: Agni's junction day brings rain and crops. Yama's brings drought and famine.
वेलाहीने सस्यहानिर्नृपाणां दारुणं रणम् ।अतिवेले पुष्पहानिर्भयं सस्यविनाशनम् ॥ ८६ ॥
When the eclipse falls short of its time, crops may be lost and kings may face a hard war. When it goes past its time, flowers may be lost, with fear and harm to crops.
Simple meaning: An eclipse that comes early or late can bring crop loss, war and fear.
एकस्मिन्नेव मासे तु चंद्रार्कग्रहणं यदा ।विरोधो धरणीशानामर्थवृष्टिविनाशनम् ॥ ८७ ॥
The Moon and the Sun may both be eclipsed in a single month. Then kings quarrel, and wealth and rain are lost.
Simple meaning: Two eclipses in one month can bring quarrels among kings and loss of wealth and rain.
ग्रस्तोदितावस्तमितौ नृपधान्यविनाशदौ ।सर्वग्रस्ताविनेंदू तु क्षुद्व्याध्यग्निभयप्रदौ ॥ ८८ ॥
If the Sun or Moon rises or sets while eclipsed, kings and grain may suffer harm. If the Sun and Moon are fully eclipsed, they may bring fear of hunger, illness and fire.
Simple meaning: A rising or setting eclipse can harm kings and grain. A full eclipse can bring fear of hunger, illness and fire.
सौम्यायने क्षत्रविप्रानितरांहन्ति दक्षिणे ।द्विजातींश्चक्रमाद्धंति राहुदृष्टोरगादितः ॥ ८९ ॥
In the Sun's northern course, an eclipse may put warriors and priests at risk. In the southern course it may put the others at risk. Seen first in the north and the other directions, Rahu may trouble the classes in order.
Simple meaning: An eclipse in the Sun's northern course may harm warriors and priests; in the southern, others.
तथैव ग्रामभेदाः स्युर्मोक्षभेदास्तथा दश ।नो शक्ता लक्षितुं देवाः किं पुनः प्राकृता जनाः ॥ ९० ॥
In the same way there are ten kinds of covering and ten kinds of release. Even the gods cannot mark them; how could common people?
Simple meaning: Eclipses have ten kinds of covering and ten of release. Even gods cannot tell them all.
आनीय खेटान्गणितांस्तेषां वारं विचिंतयेत् ।शुभाशुभान्यैः कालस्य ग्राहयामो हि लक्षणम् ॥ ९१ ॥
Work out the planets and think about their movement. Through them we grasp the good and bad marks of the time.
Simple meaning: Work out the planets and watch their movement. They show the good and bad of the time.
तस्मादन्वेषणीयं तत्कालज्ञानाय धीमता ।उत्पातरूपाः केतूनामुदयास्तमया नृणाम् ॥ ९२ ॥
So the wise should look for that, to know the time. The rising and setting of comets are portents for people.
Simple meaning: A wise person watches the rising and setting of comets to know the time and its results.
दिव्यांतरिक्षा भौमास्ते शुभाशुभफलप्रदाः ।यज्ञध्वजास्त्रभवनरक्षवृद्धिंगजोपमाः ॥ ९३ ॥
They are heavenly, of the mid-sky and of the earth, and give good and bad results. Some look like a sacrifice, a banner, a weapon, a house, a bear, a tree or an elephant.
Simple meaning: Comets are of the heavens, the mid-sky or the earth, and give good or bad results.
स्तम्भशूलांकुशाकारा आंतरिक्षाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।नक्षत्रसंस्थिता दिव्या भौमा ये भूमिसंस्थिताः ॥ ९४ ॥
Those shaped like a pillar, a spear or a goad, [with the above,] are called comets of the mid-sky. Those standing in the nakshatras (stars) are heavenly. Those on the ground are of the earth.
Simple meaning: Comets in the stars are heavenly, those shaped like objects are of the mid-sky, those on the ground earthly.
एकोऽपि भिन्नरूपः स्याज्जंतुर्नाम शुभाय वै ।यावन्तो दिवसान्केतुर्दृश्यते विविधात्मकः ॥ ९५ ॥
Even one comet may take different forms. One named Jantu is for good. (Our text is unclear here: the meaning of 'jantur nama'.) For as many days as a comet of many forms is seen,
Simple meaning: A comet can take different forms. How long it is seen sets how long its result lasts.
तावन्मासैः फलं यच्छत्यष्टौ सारव्यवत्सरैः ।ये दिव्याः केतवस्तेऽपि शश्वज्जीवफलप्रदाः ॥ ९६ ॥
it gives its result for as many months. (Our text is unclear here: a phrase read as 'eight years'.) The heavenly comets, too, always give results to living beings.
Simple meaning: A comet seen for some days gives results for that many months.
ह्रस्वः स्निग्धः सुप्रसन्नः श्वेतकेतुः सुवृष्टिकृत् ।क्षिप्रादस्तमयं याति दीर्घकेतुरवृष्टिकृत् ॥ ९७ ॥
A short, smooth, clear white comet that sets soon brings good rain. A long comet brings no rain.
Simple meaning: A short, bright white comet that soon fades brings good rain. A long one brings drought.
अनिष्टदो धूमकेतुः शक्रचापसमप्रभः ।द्वित्रिचतुःशूलरूपः स च राज्यांतकृन्मतः ॥ ९८ ॥
The smoke comet is bad. Its light is like Indra's bow. It has two, three or four spear shapes. It is held to bring harm to a kingdom.
Simple meaning: The smoke comet is bad and can bring harm to a kingdom.
मणिहारस्तुवर्णाभा दीप्तिमंतोऽर्कसूनवः ।केतवश्चोदिताः पूर्वापरयोर्नृपहानिदाः ॥ ९९ ॥
The sons of the Sun shine like a jewel necklace and gold. These comets, rising in the east or west, may bring loss to kings.
Simple meaning: Bright gold-like comets born of the Sun, seen in the east or west, can bring loss to kings.
वंसुकबिंबक्षितिजच्छुकतुंडादिसन्निभाः ।हुताशनोदितास्तेऽपि केतवः फलदाः स्मृताः ॥ १०० ॥
Some look like the bandhuka flower, the bimba fruit, blood or a parrot's beak. These comets, born of fire, are also said to give results.
Simple meaning: Red comets like flowers, fruit, blood or a parrot's beak are born of fire and give results.
भूसुता जलतैलाभा वर्तुलाः क्षुद्भयप्रदाः ।सुभिक्षक्षेमदाः श्वेतकेतवः सोमसूनवः ॥ १०१ ॥
The sons of the Earth look like water or oil and are round. They bring fear of hunger. The white comets, sons of the Moon, bring plenty of food and welfare.
Simple meaning: Round comets born of the Earth can bring fear of hunger. White comets born of the Moon bring plenty.
पितामहात्मजः केतुस्त्रिवर्णस्त्रिदशान्वितः ।ब्रह्मदंडाद्धूमकेतुः प्रजानामंतकृन्मतः ॥ १०२ ॥
The son of Brahma is a comet of three colours, with three crests. The Brahmadanda is a smoke comet held to put people's lives at risk.
Simple meaning: Brahma's three-coloured comet, the Brahmadanda, is said to put many lives at risk.
ऐशान्यां भार्गवसुताः श्वेतरूपास्त्वनिष्टदाः ।अनिष्टदाः पंगुसुता विशिखाः कमकाह्वयाः ॥ १०३ ॥
In the north-east, the white sons of Venus bring bad results. The sons of Saturn, without crests and called Kanaka, are also bad.
Simple meaning: White comets of Venus in the north-east, and crestless comets of Saturn, bring bad results.
विकचाख्या गुरुसुता वेष्टा याम्ये स्थिता अपि ।सूक्ष्माः शुक्ला बुधसुताश्चौररोगभयप्रदाः ॥ १०४ ॥
The sons of Jupiter are called Vikacha. They are bad too, even standing in the south. The small white sons of Mercury bring fear of thieves and illness.
Simple meaning: Jupiter's comets are bad even in the south. Small white comets of Mercury bring fear of thieves and illness.
कुजात्मजाः कुंकुमाख्या रक्ताः शूलास्त्वनिष्टदाः ।अग्निजा विश्वरूपाख्या अग्निवर्णाः सुखप्रदाः ॥ १०५ ॥
Mars's sons are called Kumkuma. They are red and shaped like spears, and bad. The sons of Agni are called Vishvarupa. They are fire-coloured and bring comfort.
Simple meaning: Red spear-shaped comets of Mars are bad. Fire-coloured comets of Agni bring comfort.
अरुणाः श्यामलाकारा अर्कपुत्राश्च पापदाः ।शुक्रजा ऋक्षसदृशाः केतवः शुभदायकाः ॥ १०६ ॥
The dark, red-and-dusky sons of the Sun give bad results. The sons of Venus, which look like a star, are comets that give good results.
Simple meaning: Dusky comets of the Sun are bad. Star-like comets of Venus are good.
कृत्तिकासु भवो धूमकेतुर्नूनं प्रजाक्षयः ।प्रासादवृक्षशैलेषु जातो राज्ञां विनाशकृत् ॥ १०७ ॥
A comet born in Krittika points to a risk of loss of people. One born on palaces, trees and hills may bring harm to kings.
Simple meaning: A comet in Krittika can mean loss of people. One on palaces or trees can harm kings.
सुभिक्षकृत्कौमुदाख्यः केतुः कुमुदसन्निभः ।आवर्तकेतुसंध्यायां शशिरो नेष्टदायकः ॥ १०८ ॥
The comet called Kaumuda looks like a white water lily and brings plenty of food. The Avarta comet, seen at twilight with a head, is not good.
Simple meaning: The lily-white Kaumuda comet brings plenty. The Avarta comet at twilight is not good.
It teaches the portents of the Sun, Moon, planets, eclipses and comets, and what each tends to bring.
Verse 5.1 says it is the weekday of the first moon day of Chaitra's bright half.
Verse 5.106 says the Kaumuda comet, white like a water lily, brings plenty of food.