The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
अघोरेभ्यस्तथा पूर्वमीरिता प्रथमा कला । अथ घोरेभ्य इत्यंते मोहास्यात्तदनंतरम् ॥ ७१ ॥
aghorebhyastathā pūrvamīritā prathamā kalā | atha ghorebhya ityaṃte mohāsyāttadanaṃtaram || 71 ||
سابقًا عُلِّمت الكَلا الأولى مبتدأةً بلفظ «aghorebhyaḥ». ثم إذا خُتم بلفظ «ghorebhyaḥ» نشأ عقب ذلك مباشرةً موهَا (الضلال والوهم).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical Vedanga-style exposition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
It stresses that mantra portions (kalās) must be applied in the right sequence; mixing or ending with the ‘ghora’ formula improperly leads to moha—inner confusion that disrupts ritual clarity and spiritual focus.
Bhakti is supported by disciplined practice: careful, reverent recitation prevents mental agitation (moha) and preserves the devotee’s steadiness, making worship more sattvic and effective.
Śikṣā (phonetics/recitation discipline) and procedural mantra-vidhi: identifying a ‘first kalā’ and recognizing that the ending formula affects the practitioner’s mental state, so order and closure matter in ritual recitation.