Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā
शान्तिश्च कीदृशी प्रोक्ता को मन्त्रोऽष्टाक्षरो मुने । को वा द्वादशवर्णश्च मुने तत्त्वार्थकोविद ॥ २१ ॥
śāntiśca kīdṛśī proktā ko mantro'ṣṭākṣaro mune | ko vā dvādaśavarṇaśca mune tattvārthakovida || 21 ||
“O sage, what kind of Śānti (rite of pacification) has been taught? Which is the eight-syllabled mantra (aṣṭākṣara), O muni? And which, indeed, is the twelve-syllabled mantra (dvādaśavarṇa), O sage skilled in the true meaning of the principles?”
Narada (questioning Sanatkumara)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
This verse frames a core Vaiṣṇava inquiry: the correct understanding of Śānti (pacificatory rites) together with the authoritative mantras (aṣṭākṣarī and dvādaśākṣarī) that support devotion and inner purification.
By asking for the specific eight- and twelve-syllabled mantras, the verse points to mantra-japa as a direct instrument of Vishnu-bhakti—devotion grounded in precise sacred sound and proper teaching lineage.
The verse emphasizes mantra structure by syllable-count (aṣṭa/dvādaśa), reflecting practical Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa-style precision needed for correct recitation in Narada Purana rituals.