Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya

Devanagari script

मननं सर्ववेदित्वं त्राणं संखार्यनुग्रहः । मननात्त्राणधर्मत्त्वान्मंत्र इत्यभिधीयते ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

mananaṃ sarvaveditvaṃ trāṇaṃ saṃkhāryanugrahaḥ | mananāttrāṇadharmattvānmaṃtra ityabhidhīyate || 3 ||

Translation

Parce qu’il doit être médité (manana) et qu’il possède la nature de protection (trāṇa), on l’appelle « mantra » : par la méditation il confère la connaissance intégrale des Veda, et par sa puissance protectrice il accorde sa grâce au pratiquant.

Word by Word

• मननम्: reflection/pondering
• मननम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सर्ववेदित्वम्: omniscience/knowing all
• सर्ववेदित्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + वेदित्व (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः: सर्वं वेदितुम्/वेदित्वम् (sense: knowing all)

• त्राणम्: protection
• त्राणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• संखार्यनुग्रहः: favor/grace (connected with saṃkhārya/saṃskārya)
• संखार्यनुग्रहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संखार्य + अनुग्रह (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः: संखार्यस्य/संस्कार्यस्य अनुग्रहः (determinative)

• मननात्: from reflection
• मननात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन

• त्राणधर्मत्त्वात्: because of having the nature of protection
• त्राणधर्मत्त्वात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्राण + धर्मत्व (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः: त्राणस्य धर्मत्वम् (the nature/property of protection)

• मन्त्रः: mantra
• मन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरणसूचक (quotative)

• अभिधीयते: is called/denoted
• अभिधीयते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-धा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोग (is called)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It defines “mantra” by its two core functions—deep contemplation (manana) that yields Vedic insight, and protection (trāṇa) that safeguards and uplifts the practitioner through divine grace.

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

By presenting mantra as a vehicle of anugraha (grace), the verse aligns mantra-practice with devotional reliance: sincere contemplation and repetition invite protective divine favor, which supports steady remembrance and surrender.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights a technical lakṣaṇa (definition) used in Vedic disciplines: mantra is validated by correct reflective engagement (manana) and its efficacy as protective power (trāṇa), foundational to ritual application and disciplined recitation.