Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
ये मंत्रास्ते तु विज्ञेयाः स्थानभ्रष्टा मुनीश्वर । त्रयोदशार्णा ये मन्त्रास्तिथ्यर्णाश्च तथा पुनः ॥ ५४ ॥
ye maṃtrāste tu vijñeyāḥ sthānabhraṣṭā munīśvara | trayodaśārṇā ye mantrāstithyarṇāśca tathā punaḥ || 54 ||
O lord among sages, those mantras should be understood as sthāna-bhraṣṭa—displaced from their proper position. Likewise, mantras of thirteen syllables, and again those whose syllables are arranged according to the lunar day (tithi), are to be recognized in this same technical sense.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It stresses that mantra-power depends on precision: correct placement and syllabic structure are essential, and deviations (sthāna-bhraṣṭa) are to be identified and corrected for a rite to bear fruit.
Even in devotion, the Purana upholds disciplined practice: sincere bhakti is supported by accurate mantra-recitation, showing that devotion and proper vidhi (method) work together rather than opposing each other.
It highlights Śikṣā/Vedāṅga-style technicality—syllable-count (arṇa), correct phonetic/positional arrangement (sthāna), and tithi-based ritual timing/structure used in mantra application.