Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
त्रस्तः स मंत्रो विज्ञेयो मुखे तारविवर्जितः । हकारः शक्तिरथवा भीतो मंत्रः स एव हि ॥ ३१ ॥
trastaḥ sa maṃtro vijñeyo mukhe tāravivarjitaḥ | hakāraḥ śaktirathavā bhīto maṃtraḥ sa eva hi || 31 ||
Mantra yang ketika dilafalkan dengan mulut tanpa ‘tāra’—praṇava ‘Oṁ’—hendaknya dipahami sebagai mantra yang “takut” (trasta). Saat itu suku kata ‘ha’ menjadi śakti-nya; mantra itulah yang disebut “bhīta”.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical Vedanga/Śikṣā context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that mantras are not merely words; their spiritual efficacy depends on correct traditional components—especially the praṇava (tāra, ‘Oṁ’)—and proper phonetic power (śakti) in recitation.
Bhakti is supported by disciplined practice: reverent, accurate chanting. The verse implies that devotion expressed through mantra should follow śāstric recitation rules so the offering of sound is complete.
Śikṣā (Vedic phonetics): it highlights the role of the praṇava/tāra in mantra-ucchāraṇa (chanting) and the idea of bīja-like phonetic power (e.g., hakāra) as mantra-śakti.