Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
ये मंत्रास्ते तु विज्ञेयाः स्थानभ्रष्टा मुनीश्वर । त्रयोदशार्णा ये मन्त्रास्तिथ्यर्णाश्च तथा पुनः ॥ ५४ ॥
ye maṃtrāste tu vijñeyāḥ sthānabhraṣṭā munīśvara | trayodaśārṇā ye mantrāstithyarṇāśca tathā punaḥ || 54 ||
Ô seigneur parmi les sages, ces mantras doivent être compris comme «sthāna-bhraṣṭa», c’est-à-dire déplacés de leur juste place. De même, les mantras de treize syllabes, et encore ceux dont les syllabes sont disposées selon le jour lunaire (tithi), doivent être reconnus selon ce même terme technique.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It stresses that mantra-power depends on precision: correct placement and syllabic structure are essential, and deviations (sthāna-bhraṣṭa) are to be identified and corrected for a rite to bear fruit.
Even in devotion, the Purana upholds disciplined practice: sincere bhakti is supported by accurate mantra-recitation, showing that devotion and proper vidhi (method) work together rather than opposing each other.
It highlights Śikṣā/Vedāṅga-style technicality—syllable-count (arṇa), correct phonetic/positional arrangement (sthāna), and tithi-based ritual timing/structure used in mantra application.