Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras
ध्यात्वैवं प्रजपेल्लक्षचतुष्कं तद्दशांशतः । पालाशैर्विल्वजैर्वापि जुहुयात्कुसुमैः फलैः ॥ ९ ॥
dhyātvaivaṃ prajapellakṣacatuṣkaṃ taddaśāṃśataḥ | pālāśairvilvajairvāpi juhuyātkusumaiḥ phalaiḥ || 9 ||
Having thus meditated, one should perform japa to the measure of four lakhs (400,000 repetitions); and then, as a tenth part of that count, one should offer oblations into the fire using palāśa or bilva (wood/leaves), or with flowers and fruits.
Narada (teaching in a technical/ritual context, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It links inner contemplation (dhyāna) with disciplined mantra practice (japa) and its ritual sealing through homa, showing that realization and purification are strengthened when meditation, repetition, and offering are integrated.
Even though the verse is technical, it expresses bhakti through sustained remembrance (japa after dhyāna) and devotional offering (homa with auspicious substances like bilva, flowers, and fruits), making worship continuous in thought, speech, and action.
It highlights kalpa-style ritual procedure: prescribed japa counts, the dashāṃśa (one-tenth) rule for homa relative to japa, and acceptable offering materials—core practical know-how of Vedic ritual science.