Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā
शान्तिश्च कीदृशी प्रोक्ता को मन्त्रोऽष्टाक्षरो मुने । को वा द्वादशवर्णश्च मुने तत्त्वार्थकोविद ॥ २१ ॥
śāntiśca kīdṛśī proktā ko mantro'ṣṭākṣaro mune | ko vā dvādaśavarṇaśca mune tattvārthakovida || 21 ||
「聖仙よ、説かれたシャーンティ（鎮静・息災の作法）とはいかなるものか。八音節の真言（アシュタークシャラ）はどれか、牟尼よ。さらに十二音節の真言（ドヴァーダシャヴァルナ）はどれか、真理の要義に通じた聖者よ。」
Narada (questioning Sanatkumara)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
This verse frames a core Vaiṣṇava inquiry: the correct understanding of Śānti (pacificatory rites) together with the authoritative mantras (aṣṭākṣarī and dvādaśākṣarī) that support devotion and inner purification.
By asking for the specific eight- and twelve-syllabled mantras, the verse points to mantra-japa as a direct instrument of Vishnu-bhakti—devotion grounded in precise sacred sound and proper teaching lineage.
The verse emphasizes mantra structure by syllable-count (aṣṭa/dvādaśa), reflecting practical Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa-style precision needed for correct recitation in Narada Purana rituals.