Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
चतुर्विशतिवर्णो वा सप्तविंशतिवर्णवान् । क्षुधार्तः स तु विज्ञेयो मंत्रसिद्धिविवर्जितः ॥ ४८ ॥
caturviśativarṇo vā saptaviṃśativarṇavān | kṣudhārtaḥ sa tu vijñeyo maṃtrasiddhivivarjitaḥ || 48 ||
Sama ada mantra itu terdiri daripada dua puluh empat suku kata atau dua puluh tujuh suku kata—jika pengamalnya ditimpa derita kelaparan, hendaklah difahami bahawa dia tidak memiliki pencapaian mantra (mantra-siddhi).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedanga/mantra-śāstra context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-siddhi is not determined only by a mantra’s formal structure (such as syllable-count) but by the sādhaka’s disciplined condition; being overcome by hunger is given as a clear sign that accomplishment has not arisen.
Even in devotional japa, steadiness (niyama) supports bhakti; the verse implies that uncontrolled bodily distress disrupts focused remembrance, so the devotee should practice with regulated conduct to sustain single-pointed devotion.
A technical mantra-śāstra point is highlighted: metrics/varna-count alone is insufficient—practical discipline in japa (including proper regulation of food and bodily stability) is treated as essential for mantra-siddhi.