Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 196
The Exposition of Nṛsiṁha Worship-Mantras, Nyāsa, Mudrās, Yantras, Kavaca, and Nṛsiṁha Gāyatrī
अस्त्रतारोऽच्युतास्त्रं च तारो वाचा सुदेव फट् । तारमायामूर्तेः फट् वः कामः स्वरादिमः ॥ १९६ ॥
astratāro'cyutāstraṃ ca tāro vācā sudeva phaṭ | tāramāyāmūrteḥ phaṭ vaḥ kāmaḥ svarādimaḥ || 196 ||
The syllable “tāra,” when joined to Acyuta’s weapon-mantra, becomes the missile (astra) mantra. Joined to speech (vācā), it is “Sudeva phaṭ.” Joined to the Māyā-form, it is “(tāra)… phaṭ.” And “vaḥ” is declared to be Kāma, beginning with the vowels.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical mantra-vidya/Vedanga-oriented section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It explains a technical principle of mantra-vidyā: how the primordial syllable “tāra” (oṃ) is combined with specific deity-forms and functional particles like “phaṭ” to produce protective or forceful ritual applications centered on Acyuta (Viṣṇu).
Even in a technical Vedāṅga-style passage, the verse anchors efficacy in Viṣṇu as Acyuta—showing that ritual power and protection are framed as dependent on devotionally invoking the Lord’s names/forms rather than mere sound mechanics.
It highlights mantra-formation through phonetic/linguistic components—use of bīja-like syllables (tāra, vaḥ), the vowel-series (svara), and functional ritual exclamations (phaṭ), reflecting Śikṣā/Vyākaraṇa-informed mantra construction used in Narada Purana rituals.