Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74

Gaṇeśa Mantra-vidhi: Mahāgaṇapati Gāyatrī, Vakratuṇḍa Mantra, Nyāsa, Homa, Āvaraṇa-pūjā, and Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

लब्ध्वा गुरुमुखान्मंत्रं दीक्षासंस्कारपूर्वकम् । ब्रह्मचारी हविष्याशी सत्यवाक् च जितेंद्रियः ॥ ७४ ॥

Transliteration

labdhvā gurumukhānmaṃtraṃ dīkṣāsaṃskārapūrvakam | brahmacārī haviṣyāśī satyavāk ca jiteṃdriyaḥ || 74 ||

Translation

Setelah menerima mantra dari mulut guru, didahului upacara inisiasi (dīkṣā) dan penyucian sakramen, hendaklah seseorang hidup sebagai brahmacārin—menyantap havis (makanan persembahan yang disucikan), berkata benar, serta menaklukkan pancaindera.

Word by Word

• लब्ध्वा: having obtained
• लब्ध्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having obtained)

• गुरुमुखात्: from the guru’s mouth
• गुरुमुखात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गुरोः मुखम्)

• मन्त्रम्: mantra
• मन्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• दीक्षासंस्कारपूर्वकम्: preceded by the initiation-saṃskāra
• दीक्षासंस्कारपूर्वकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीक्षा + संस्कार + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'mantram'); तत्पुरुषः (दीक्षासंस्कारः पूर्वः यस्य/येन) = preceded by initiation-rites

• ब्रह्मचारी: a brahmacārin (celibate student)
• ब्रह्मचारी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• हविष्याशी: one who eats havis (sacrificial food)
• हविष्याशी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हविष्य + आशिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (हविष्यं अश्नाति)

• सत्यवाक्: truth-speaking
• सत्यवाक्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य + वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सत्या वाक् यस्य)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• जितेन्द्रियः: one who has conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (जितानि इन्द्रियाणि यस्य)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Guru

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It defines the orthodox foundation of mantra-practice: mantra must be received through a guru, sealed by dīkṣā-saṁskāra, and supported by brahmacarya, truthful speech, pure diet, and sense-restraint—without which mantra-siddhi is weakened.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By insisting on guru-given mantra and disciplined living, it frames bhakti as a regulated sādhana: devotion matures through initiation, purity, and self-control, making the practitioner fit for steady remembrance and worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual discipline connected to kalpa (procedural rules) and śikṣā/ācāra (correct practice): proper dīkṣā, regulated food (havis), and conduct (satya, indriya-jaya) as prerequisites for effective mantra recitation.