Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 78
Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa
The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala
पूर्णासु नियत्तं देवीं कन्यकायां समर्चयन् । कृत्याः परेरिता मंत्रा विमुखांस्तान् ग्रसंति वै ॥ ७८ ॥
pūrṇāsu niyattaṃ devīṃ kanyakāyāṃ samarcayan | kṛtyāḥ pareritā maṃtrā vimukhāṃstān grasaṃti vai || 78 ||
Lorsque l’on vénère dûment la Déesse—avec la discipline requise—sous la forme d’une jeune fille aux moments auspices prescrits, alors les mantras mus par la kṛtyā (acte rituel de magie) saisissent et dévorent réellement ceux qui se sont détournés (du rite / de la juste conduite).
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara brothers, teaching technical ritual outcomes)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It stresses niyama (regulated discipline) in worship: properly performed Devi-upasana becomes spiritually potent, and misaligned or hostile intent is shown as self-destructive through the very mantra-power invoked.
Even within technical ritual sections, the verse implies that sincere, correct reverence (proper worship of the Devi) protects and empowers, while turning away from dharma or approaching with hostility leads to adverse consequences.
Ritual timing and rule-bound procedure (niyama) are emphasized—choosing prescribed occasions (like pūrṇā times) and correct performance so that mantra-prayoga yields intended results rather than backlash.