Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 72
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
अघोरांते क्षमा पश्चात्तृतीया परिकीर्तिता । घोरतरेभ्यो निद्रा स्यात्सर्वेभ्यः सर्वतत्परा ॥ ७२ ॥
aghorāṃte kṣamā paścāttṛtīyā parikīrtitā | ghoratarebhyo nidrā syātsarvebhyaḥ sarvatatparā || 72 ||
അഘോരാവസ്ഥയുടെ അവസാനം ശേഷം ‘ക്ഷമാ’ മൂന്നാമതായി പ്രസ്താവിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. അതിലും ഭീകരമായ അവസ്ഥകളുടെ അപ്പുറം ‘നിദ്രാ’ ഉണ്ടാകുന്നു; അവൾ സമ്പൂർണ്ണമായി ആ തത്ത്വത്തിൽ പരായണയും സർവ്വത്തിനുമേൽ അധിഷ്ഠാത്രിയുമാണ്।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Vedanga/technical section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents a graded sequence of inner conditions: after a fierce/inauspicious phase (Aghorā), the stabilizing virtue of kṣamā (forgiveness) is taught as a higher state, and then nidrā is described as a dominating condition that can overtake all—implying the need to understand and master such states on the spiritual path.
By highlighting kṣamā, the verse points to a core bhakti-virtue: forgiveness and forbearance. A devotee’s steadiness in kṣamā helps transcend harsh inner movements (ghora-bhāvas) and remain oriented toward the Supreme (tat).
The verse reflects technical enumeration and definition of states/qualities—typical of śāstric classification used across Vedanga-style discourse (precise naming, sequencing, and distinguishing conditions like ghorā/aghorā and nidrā).