Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

Mantraśodhana, Dīkṣā-krama, Guru-Pādukā, Ajapā-Haṃsa, and Ṣaṭcakra-Kuṇḍalinī Sādhana

Devanagari script

विलिख्य क्रमतो धीमान्मनुं संशोधयेत्ततः । नामाद्यक्षरमारभ्य यावन्मन्त्रादि वर्णकम् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

vilikhya kramato dhīmānmanuṃ saṃśodhayettataḥ | nāmādyakṣaramārabhya yāvanmantrādi varṇakam || 4 ||

Translation

Having written the mantra in proper sequence, the wise should then examine and correct it—starting from the first letter of the Holy Name and continuing through every syllable that makes up the mantra and its opening portions.

Word by Word

• विलिख्य: having written/drawn
• विलिख्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-लिख् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव

• क्रमतः: in sequence
• क्रमतः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) = 'in order/stepwise'

• धीमान्: the wise (person)
• धीमान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धीमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मनुम्: Manu / the mantra-formula (manu)
• मनुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• संशोधयेत्: should purify/correct
• संशोधयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-शुध् (धातु) [णिच् causative: शोधय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; णिजन्त (causative)

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) = 'then/thereafter'

• नाम-आदि-अक्षरम्: the first syllable of the name
• नाम-आदि-अक्षरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाम (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: नाम्नः आदिः अक्षरम् (the initial syllable of the name)

• आरभ्य: starting from
• आरभ्य: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-रभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-प्राय (gerund used as preposition), अव्यय = 'starting from'

• यावत्: up to/as far as
• यावत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय (limit marker)

• मन्त्र-आदि: beginning with the mantra (etc.)
• मन्त्र-आदि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव/तत्पुरुषार्थे (beginning with mantra); here used adjectivally qualifying वर्णकम्

• वर्णकम्: the sequence of letters/description of letters
• वर्णकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्णक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada within the Vedanga/Mantra-vidhi context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It emphasizes that mantra-sādhana depends on śabda-śuddhi (purity and correctness of sound); accurate letters and sequence protect the intended spiritual potency and meaning.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Even in bhakti-oriented practice, the verse teaches disciplined reverence for the Lord’s names and mantras—careful writing and verification become a form of attentive devotion (smaraṇa with precision).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (linguistic correctness) are implied: one must check each akṣara (syllable/letter) from the opening name onward so the mantra is recited and transmitted without corruption.