Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
षोडशार्णो युवा प्रौढश्चत्वारिंशतिवर्णकः । त्रिंशद्वर्णश्चतुःषष्टिवर्णश्चापि शताक्षरः ॥ ४० ॥
ṣoḍaśārṇo yuvā prauḍhaścatvāriṃśativarṇakaḥ | triṃśadvarṇaścatuḥṣaṣṭivarṇaścāpi śatākṣaraḥ || 40 ||
പതിനാറ് അക്ഷരമുള്ള മന്ത്രം ‘യുവ’ എന്നും, നാല്പത് വർണ്ണമുള്ളത് ‘പ്രൗഢ’ എന്നും പറയുന്നു. അതുപോലെ മുപ്പത് വർണ്ണമുള്ളതും, അറുപത്തിനാല് വർണ്ണമുള്ളതും, നൂറ് അക്ഷരമുള്ളതും മന്ത്രങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ട്।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedanga/Shiksha context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It highlights that mantra-recitation is not arbitrary: mantras are traditionally classified by akṣara/varṇa count, reflecting a disciplined Vedic science (Śikṣā) that supports accurate chanting and ritual efficacy.
Indirectly, it supports Bhakti by emphasizing correct mantra-form and recitation standards; devotion in the Purāṇic-Vedic frame is strengthened when praise and japa are performed with proper śabda (sound) discipline.
Śikṣā (Vedic phonetics) and mantra-technicality: counting akṣaras/varṇas to classify mantras (e.g., 16, 30, 40, 64, 100), which informs how chants are learned, paced, and applied in ritual/japa.