Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 45
Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory
भवन्ति चात्र श्लोकाः । शंकितं भीषणं भीतमुद्धुष्टमनुनासिकम् । काकस्वरं मूर्द्धगतं तथा स्थानविवर्जितम् ॥ ४४ ॥
bhavanti cātra ślokāḥ | śaṃkitaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ bhītamuddhuṣṭamanunāsikam | kākasvaraṃ mūrddhagataṃ tathā sthānavivarjitam || 44 ||
Dan mengenai hal ini ada bait-bait: Ucapan/tilawah yang ragu-ragu dan terhuyung-hayang; menakutkan dan penuh gentar; dipaksa keras hingga kasar; bersuara sengau; bernada seperti gagak; keluar dari kepala (bukan dari tempat yang wajar); serta tanpa titik sebutan yang tepat—semuanya dianggap cacat.
Narada (instructional discourse within Moksha-dharma context; phonetic/recitation faults described in a shiksha-like manner)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that spiritual practice depends not only on intent but also on disciplined speech—mantra and sacred recitation should be free from major phonetic defects that distort meaning and reduce the sanctity of the act.
Bhakti is expressed through praise, japa, and kirtana; this verse implies that devotion should be careful and reverent, avoiding careless or distorted utterance that turns worship into inattentive sound.
It reflects Śikṣā (phonetics): correct place of articulation (sthāna), proper voice quality, and avoidance of defects like excessive nasality (anunāsika) or crow-like tone (kākasvara) in chanting.