Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Nirukta, Phonetic Variants, and Vedic Dhātu–Svara Taxonomy
ब्रूह्याद्यादेः परस्याप्यौ श्रावयेत्यादिके प्लुतः । दाश्वांश्व स्वतवान्यापौत्रिभिष्ट्वं च नृभिष्टुतः ॥ १७ ॥
brūhyādyādeḥ parasyāpyau śrāvayetyādike plutaḥ | dāśvāṃśva svatavānyāpautribhiṣṭvaṃ ca nṛbhiṣṭutaḥ || 17 ||
In forms beginning with “brūhi” and the like, and also in the following word “au,” as well as in expressions beginning with “śrāvayet,” the vowel is to be uttered as a pluta (protracted) sound. Likewise, in forms such as “dāśvāṃśva,” “svatavān,” and in the cluster “yā‑pautri‑,” the sound “tvaṃ” is employed; and in “nṛbhiṣṭutaḥ” the appropriate phonetic rule is prescribed.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches that precision in sacred sound (śabda)—especially correct vowel length and prescribed forms—is part of dharma and supports the purity and efficacy of Vedic study that ultimately aids moksha-oriented discipline.
While technical, it supports bhakti indirectly: devotion expressed through mantra and recitation becomes steadier and more potent when pronunciation follows śikṣā and vyākaraṇa, preventing errors (doṣa) in worship and japa.
Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar): specifically the use of pluta (protracted) vowels and prescribed word-forms in Vedic recitation contexts.