Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory
अश्वक्रांता तु गांधारे तृतीया मूर्च्छना स्मृता । मध्यमे खलु सौवीरा हृषिका पंचमे स्वरे ॥ ३८ ॥
aśvakrāṃtā tu gāṃdhāre tṛtīyā mūrcchanā smṛtā | madhyame khalu sauvīrā hṛṣikā paṃcame svare || 38 ||
Mūrcchanā yang ketiga diingati sebagai Aśvakrāntā, berasaskan nada Gāndhāra. Pada nada Madhyama ia sesungguhnya disebut Sauvīrā, dan pada nada kelima ia disebut Hṛṣikā.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on technical classifications supportive to dharma/vidyā)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It frames sacred sound (svara/nāda) as an ordered science: by naming mūrcchanās according to specific notes, the text presents disciplined knowledge of sound as a supportive vidyā that can refine concentration and devotional practice.
While not directly prescribing bhakti, it supports bhakti through correct cultivation of sound and melody—tools commonly used in praising the Divine—showing that devotion benefits from well-structured śāstric understanding of nāda.
It highlights technical instruction in sound—close to Śikṣā (phonetics) and allied musical science (Gāndharva-Veda)—by classifying mūrcchanās with reference to specific svaras like Gāndhāra, Madhyama, and Pañcama.