Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
Devapūjā-krama: Ārghya-saṃskāra, Maṇḍala–Nyāsa, Mudrā-pradarśana, Āvaraṇa-arcana, Homa, Japa, and Kṣamāpaṇa
कवचेनावगुंठ्याथ रक्षेदस्त्रेण तत्पुनः । चिंतयित्वेष्टदेवं च ततो मुद्राः प्रदर्शयेत् ॥ १९ ॥
kavacenāvaguṃṭhyātha rakṣedastreṇa tatpunaḥ | ciṃtayitveṣṭadevaṃ ca tato mudrāḥ pradarśayet || 19 ||
പിന്നീട് കവചമന്ത്രംകൊണ്ട് ആവരണം ചെയ്ത്, അസ്ത്രമന്ത്രംകൊണ്ട് വീണ്ടും സംരക്ഷിക്കണം. ഇഷ്ടദേവനെ ധ്യാനിച്ച്, തുടർന്ന് മുദ്രകൾ പ്രദർശിപ്പിക്കണം॥१९॥
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that spiritual practice is both inner and outer: the rite is protected through kavaca and astra-mantra while its power is awakened by focused meditation on one’s iṣṭa-devatā, culminating in mudrās that “seal” intention and invoke divine presence.
Bhakti is emphasized through iṣṭa-devatā-smaraṇa (meditation on the beloved chosen form of the Divine); ritual actions are presented as supports that stabilize devotion and concentration rather than replacing heartfelt remembrance.
It highlights applied ritual discipline—mantra-prayoga (use of kavaca and astra-mantra) and mudrā-vidhi—skills associated with technical liturgical knowledge used to protect and complete Vedic/Puranic rites correctly.