Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 103
Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana
Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras
सोऽहं वह्निप्रियांतोऽयं मंत्रो वस्वक्षरः परः । पंचब्रह्मात्मकस्यास्य मंत्रस्य मुनि सत्तमः ॥ १०३ ॥
so'haṃ vahnipriyāṃto'yaṃ maṃtro vasvakṣaraḥ paraḥ | paṃcabrahmātmakasyāsya maṃtrasya muni sattamaḥ || 103 ||
‘সো’হং’ৰে আৰম্ভ আৰু ‘বহ্নিপ্ৰিয়া’ৰে সমাপ্ত এই পৰম মন্ত্ৰ অষ্টাক্ষৰ। এই পঞ্চব্ৰহ্মাত্মক মন্ত্ৰৰ ঋষি মুনিশ্ৰেষ্ঠ।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Vedanga/Mantra-śāstra context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It defines a mantra by its exact markers (beginning “so’ham,” ending “vahnipriyā”) and declares it “supreme,” linking it to pañcabrahma—indicating that correct mantra-form and its metaphysical ground are both essential for effective upāsanā and liberation-oriented practice.
By presenting a precisely characterized mantra meant for contemplation and repetition, the verse supports bhakti/upāsanā through disciplined japa: devotion becomes steady when the mantra is known in its authentic form and contemplated as embodying the highest reality (para, pañcabrahma).
Mantra-śāstra procedure: identifying a mantra’s syllable-count (aṣṭākṣara), its defining boundaries (ādi/anta—beginning/ending words), and its ṛṣi (seer), which are standard technical steps used in ritual application and correct recitation.