Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 81
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
प्रणवाद्याश्चतुर्थ्यंता नमोंतास्तु प्रकीर्तिताः । पाददोस्तननासासु मूर्ध्नि बाहुयुगे न्यसेत् ॥ ८१ ॥
praṇavādyāścaturthyaṃtā namoṃtāstu prakīrtitāḥ | pādadostananāsāsu mūrdhni bāhuyuge nyaset || 81 ||
মন্ত্রগুলি ‘প্রণব’ (ওঁ) দিয়ে শুরু, চতুর্থী বিভক্তিতে সমাপ্ত এবং ‘নমোऽস্তু/নমঃ’ দ্বারা পূর্ণ বলে কীর্তিত। পাদ, হস্ত, স্তন, নাসিকা, মস্তক ও উভয় বাহুতে তাদের ন্যাস স্থাপন করবে।
Narada (teaching in a technical/ritual context within Vedanga-oriented material)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches nyāsa—sacralizing the body by installing mantra-syllables on specific limbs—so the practitioner’s body becomes fit for worship and focused devotion.
By prescribing praṇava- and namaḥ-terminated mantras and their bodily placement, it frames devotion as disciplined worship where reverence (“namaḥ”) and remembrance (mantra) are embodied before offering prayers to the deity.
It points to Vyākaraṇa-informed mantra formation (use of the caturthī/dative ending) and Śikṣā/ritual practice through correct application (nyāsa) on designated body parts.