Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
त्रस्तः स मंत्रो विज्ञेयो मुखे तारविवर्जितः । हकारः शक्तिरथवा भीतो मंत्रः स एव हि ॥ ३१ ॥
trastaḥ sa maṃtro vijñeyo mukhe tāravivarjitaḥ | hakāraḥ śaktirathavā bhīto maṃtraḥ sa eva hi || 31 ||
जो मंत्र मुखाने जपताना ‘तार’—प्रणव ‘ॐ’—विरहित असेल तो ‘त्रस्त’ (भयभीत) मंत्र समजावा. तेव्हा ‘ह’कार ही त्याची शक्ति ठरते; तोच मंत्र ‘भीत’ म्हणतात.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical Vedanga/Śikṣā context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that mantras are not merely words; their spiritual efficacy depends on correct traditional components—especially the praṇava (tāra, ‘Oṁ’)—and proper phonetic power (śakti) in recitation.
Bhakti is supported by disciplined practice: reverent, accurate chanting. The verse implies that devotion expressed through mantra should follow śāstric recitation rules so the offering of sound is complete.
Śikṣā (Vedic phonetics): it highlights the role of the praṇava/tāra in mantra-ucchāraṇa (chanting) and the idea of bīja-like phonetic power (e.g., hakāra) as mantra-śakti.