Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 175
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
धाराधिपतिरुद्रोऽयं ज्ञापयत्यग्निसुंदरी । खड्गरावणमंत्रोऽयं सप्तत्यूर्द्धशताक्षरः ॥ १७५ ॥
dhārādhipatirudro'yaṃ jñāpayatyagnisuṃdarī | khaḍgarāvaṇamaṃtro'yaṃ saptatyūrddhaśatākṣaraḥ || 175 ||
हा मंत्र ‘धारांचा अधिपती रुद्र’ म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे; अग्निसुंदरी तो प्रकट करते. हा खड्ग-रावण मंत्र असून एकशे सत्तर अक्षरांचा आहे॥
Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition; technical mantra-catalogue section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It functions as a technical identification verse: it names the mantra’s devatā/association (Rudra), indicates the revealing power (Agnisundarī), and fixes its precise akṣara-count—key requirements for correct mantra-recitation (japa) and ritual application.
Bhakti here is expressed through disciplined mantra-upāsanā: devotion is safeguarded by accuracy—knowing the deity addressed, the mantra’s identity, and its correct syllabic form—so worship becomes focused and scripturally aligned.
It highlights mantra-śāstra style precision—especially akṣara-gaṇanā (syllable counting) and correct identification of mantra-devatā—skills connected to śikṣā (phonetics) and the technical disciplines used in ritual recitation.