Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 154
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
हुं फट् कवचमुद्दिष्टं नीलकंठिन इत्यतः । स्वाहांतमस्त्रमेतानि पंचागानि मनोर्विदुः ॥ १५४ ॥
huṃ phaṭ kavacamuddiṣṭaṃ nīlakaṃṭhina ityataḥ | svāhāṃtamastrametāni paṃcāgāni manorviduḥ || 154 ||
„Huṃ phaṭ“ wird als kavaca, als mantrische „Rüstung“, bezeichnet. Von der Formel „nīlakaṇṭhinī“ an wird die Endung „svāhā“ als astra, als mantrische „Waffe“, verstanden. Die Kundigen wissen dies als die fünf Glieder (pañcāṅga) des Mantras.
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It codifies how a mantra is ritually ‘armed’ for protection and efficacy—identifying kavaca (protective seal) and astra (activating discharge) as essential components of the mantra’s operational structure.
Even in devotion, the Purāṇa preserves disciplined mantra-prayoga: bhakti is supported by correct invocation and protective/activating formulae, ensuring worship is both heartfelt and properly performed.
It highlights practical ritual science—mantra-structure and application (nyāsa/anga-vinyāsa, kavaca, astra), a technical discipline aligned with auxiliary Vedic ritual method rather than narrative theology.