Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
तारवर्मत्रया लक्ष्मीरेवं हीनस्तु यो मनुः । शक्तिहीनः स विज्ञेयश्चिरकालफलप्रदः ॥ २३ ॥
tāravarmatrayā lakṣmīrevaṃ hīnastu yo manuḥ | śaktihīnaḥ sa vijñeyaścirakālaphalapradaḥ || 23 ||
ત્રિવિધ ‘તાર-વર્મ’ રક્ષણકવચથી હીન જે મનુ (મંત્ર) છે, તે શક્તિહીન જાણવો; તેમાં લક્ષ્મીપ્રાપ્તિ થતી નથી અને ફળ પણ બહુ મોડે મળે છે।
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-phala depends on correct mantric structure and protection; a deficient mantra is considered śakti-hīna and yields results only slowly, emphasizing precision and discipline in sādhanā.
It implies that devotion must be accompanied by proper vidhi (method): sincere bhakti aligned with correct mantra-prayoga brings auspicious grace (symbolized by Lakṣmī) more effectively than careless or incomplete practice.
A technical principle of mantra-śāstra used within Vedāṅga-style disciplines: mantras require correct components (often taught as coverings/kavaca/nyāsa-like protections); otherwise their śakti is weakened and the promised phala is delayed.