Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
विरामस्थानगं चास्रं हतवीर्यः स उच्यते । मंत्रस्यादौ च मध्ये च मूर्ध्नि चास्रचतुष्टयम् ॥ ३७ ॥
virāmasthānagaṃ cāsraṃ hatavīryaḥ sa ucyate | maṃtrasyādau ca madhye ca mūrdhni cāsracatuṣṭayam || 37 ||
Eine Mantra-Silbe, die auf eine Stelle der Pause fällt, gilt als in ihrer Wirkkraft geschwächt. In einem Mantra gibt es vier solche ‘asra’-Punkte: am Anfang, in der Mitte, am Ende und am Haupt/ Scheitel (dem wesentlichen Teil).
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on mantra-recitation and Śikṣā)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-siddhi depends on precise Śikṣā (phonetics): if recitation is broken by improper pauses or placed at sensitive points, the mantra’s efficacy is considered weakened.
Even in bhakti-oriented practice, the Purana emphasizes disciplined recitation—devotion is supported by correct mantra-utterance, showing that sincerity and proper method work together.
Śikṣā (Vedic phonetics): guidance about virāma (pause), structural points in a mantra (beginning/middle/end/crest), and how such placement impacts ritual recitation and results.