Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 124

Sanatkumāra’s Bhāgavata Tantra: Tattvas, Māyā-Bonds, Embodiment, and the Necessity of Dīkṣā

Devanagari script

मिथ्याप्रयुक्तमन्त्रस्तु प्रायश्चित्ती भवेद्गुरुः ॥ १२४ ॥

Transliteration

mithyāprayuktamantrastu prāyaścittī bhavedguruḥ || 124 ||

Translation

Mais si un mantra est employé à tort, le guru lui-même devient tenu d’accomplir le prāyaścitta (expiation).

Word by Word

• मिथ्या-प्रयुक्त-मन्त्रः: a mantra wrongly applied/used
• मिथ्या-प्रयुक्त-मन्त्रः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मिथ्या (अव्यय) + प्रयुक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु, प्र-; क्त) + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); ‘मिथ्या’ उपपद-पूर्वक विशेषणसमास; ‘प्रयुक्त’ = employed/used

• तु: but
• तु: सम्बन्धसूचक (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (contrast/emphasis)

• प्रायश्चित्ती: liable for expiation; one who must atone
• प्रायश्चित्ती: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रायश्चित्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); -इन् प्रत्यय (possessor): ‘one who must do expiation’

• भवेत्: would be; becomes
• भवेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• गुरुः: the guru
• गुरुः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that mantra-practice is a disciplined sacred science: incorrect application is not spiritually neutral and requires purification through prāyaścitta, especially for the responsible authority (the guru).

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

While focused on technical mantra-usage, it supports bhakti by insisting on sincerity, purity, and careful observance—devotion is strengthened when worship is performed with correct understanding and accountable guidance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual prayoga and accountability—core to Vedanga-based practice (especially Śikṣā for correct recitation and Kalpa for proper procedure), stating that misuse of mantras entails prescribed expiation.