Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory
मंत्रो हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्याप्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह । स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेंद्रशत्रुः स्वरतोऽपराधात् ॥ १९ ॥
maṃtro hīnaḥ svarato varṇato vā mithyāprayukto na tamarthamāha | sa vāgvajro yajamānaṃ hinasti yatheṃdraśatruḥ svarato'parādhāt || 19 ||
Un mantra, s’il est déficient par le svara (accent) ou par les varṇa (lettres/syllabes), ou s’il est employé à contresens, ne dit pas le sens voulu. Une telle parole devient un vajra de la voix et blesse le yajamāna, comme le mot « indra-śatru » causa la ruine par une faute d’intonation.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on mantra-dharma and correct Vedic recitation)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sacred sound is potent: a mantra must be preserved with exact accent and phonetics, otherwise its spiritual intention fails and the rite can even become harmful to the practitioner.
Bhakti is supported by reverent, careful practice—this verse implies that devotion expressed through japa or ritual must be aligned with śāstra and proper recitation, so the offering becomes pleasing rather than distorted.
Vedāṅga Śikṣā (phonetics): correct svara (Vedic accent) and varṇa (sounds/letters) are essential, because a small pronunciation error can alter meaning and the ritual outcome.