Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
त्रस्तः स मंत्रो विज्ञेयो मुखे तारविवर्जितः । हकारः शक्तिरथवा भीतो मंत्रः स एव हि ॥ ३१ ॥
trastaḥ sa maṃtro vijñeyo mukhe tāravivarjitaḥ | hakāraḥ śaktirathavā bhīto maṃtraḥ sa eva hi || 31 ||
يُعرَف المانترا بأنه «خائف» إذا جُرِّد في الفم (أي في التلاوة) من الـtāra، وهو البراناڤا «Oṃ». وعندئذٍ تكون المقطعة «ha» هي شاكتيه؛ حقًّا إن ذلك المانترا نفسه يُسمّى «مذعورًا» إذا نُطق بلا tāra.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical Vedanga/Śikṣā context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that mantras are not merely words; their spiritual efficacy depends on correct traditional components—especially the praṇava (tāra, ‘Oṁ’)—and proper phonetic power (śakti) in recitation.
Bhakti is supported by disciplined practice: reverent, accurate chanting. The verse implies that devotion expressed through mantra should follow śāstric recitation rules so the offering of sound is complete.
Śikṣā (Vedic phonetics): it highlights the role of the praṇava/tāra in mantra-ucchāraṇa (chanting) and the idea of bīja-like phonetic power (e.g., hakāra) as mantra-śakti.