Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 167
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
भूतार्तस्य स्मृतं मूर्ध्नि भूतमाशु विनाशयेत् । पीडितांगे स्मृतं तत्तत्पीडां शमयति ध्रुवम् ॥ १६७ ॥
bhūtārtasya smṛtaṃ mūrdhni bhūtamāśu vināśayet | pīḍitāṃge smṛtaṃ tattatpīḍāṃ śamayati dhruvam || 167 ||
Bila ia diingat dan dijapa di atas kepala orang yang tersiksa oleh bhūta, maka bhūta itu segera binasa. Bila diingat pada anggota tubuh yang sakit, ia pasti menenangkan rasa nyeri yang bersangkutan.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents mantra-smaraṇa (recollection/recitation) as a dharmic remedial application: directed recitation is said to remove subtle afflictions (bhūta-upadrava) and calm physical suffering, showing the Purana’s integration of spiritual practice with practical well-being.
Though framed as a technical remedy, it supports bhakti in practice by emphasizing faithful remembrance (smaraṇa) and recitation as a means to invoke protective spiritual power; devotion expressed through consistent smaraṇa is treated as efficacious.
It reflects mantra-prayoga (applied recitation) and viniyoga-like specificity—where the place of application (head vs. afflicted limb) is prescribed—typical of technical, ritual-application knowledge associated with Vedanga-style practice.