Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
गुणात्मशक्तिभक्ताय ततोऽनंताय तत्परम् । योगपीठात्मने भूयो नमस्तारादिको मनुः ॥ २१ ॥
guṇātmaśaktibhaktāya tato'naṃtāya tatparam | yogapīṭhātmane bhūyo namastārādiko manuḥ || 21 ||
Darauf erweist man Ehrerbietung dem Verehrer der Śakti, deren Wesen die Guṇas sind; sodann dem Unendlichen; und jener höchsten Wirklichkeit. Und wiederum bringen das Tārā-Mantra und die übrigen Verehrung Dem dar, dessen eigene Natur das Yogapīṭha ist, der gegründete Sitz des Yoga.
Suta (narrating the Purana dialogue/tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames a mantra-sequence (beginning with “Tārā”) as repeated salutations directed to the Infinite and the Supreme, emphasizing that mantra is meant to culminate in devotion and realization of the highest principle.
By explicitly offering “namaḥ” to the Infinite and the Supreme, it shows bhakti as reverential surrender through mantra—using sacred sound to orient the mind toward Ananta and the transcendent Reality.
It highlights mantra-prayoga (structured use of a mantra-series) and technical mantra terminology (manuḥ, pīṭha, repeated bhūyaḥ), aligning with Vedanga-style instruction on correct recitation and intent.