Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
आदिमध्यावसानेषु हंसः प्रासादवाग्भवौ । हंसेंदुर्वा सकारो वा फकारो वर्म वा पुन ॥ २७ ॥
ādimadhyāvasāneṣu haṃsaḥ prāsādavāgbhavau | haṃseṃdurvā sakāro vā phakāro varma vā puna || 27 ||
At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the prescribed formula, one may place the bīja “haṃsa”; or one may employ “prāsāda” and “vāgbhava”. Alternatively, one may use “haṃsa–indu”, or the syllable “sa”, or the syllable “pha”, or again the protective bīja called “varma”.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches the regulated placement of specific bīja-syllables (like haṃsa, vāgbhava, varma) within a mantra, emphasizing that spiritual efficacy depends on precise sound-structure and protective/clarifying mantra components.
In the Narada Purana’s technical sections, devotion is supported by disciplined mantra-practice: correct bīja usage is presented as a means to steady the mind and invoke divine grace, making bhakti more focused and effective.
Śikṣā (phonetics) and mantra-vidhi are implied—how syllables are inserted in specific positions (beginning/middle/end) and how protective bīja-s like “varma” are used as ritual-technical safeguards.