Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 60
Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna
Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata
गायत्र्येषार्जुन स्योक्ता प्रयोगादौ जपेत्तु ताम् । अनुष्टुभं मनुं रात्रौ जपतां चौरसंचयाः ॥ ६० ॥
gāyatryeṣārjuna syoktā prayogādau japettu tām | anuṣṭubhaṃ manuṃ rātrau japatāṃ caurasaṃcayāḥ || 60 ||
Wahai Arjuna, Gāyatrī ini telah dinyatakan; hendaklah ia dijapa pada permulaan suatu upacara. Namun bagi mereka yang menjapa mantra Anuṣṭubh pada waktu malam, timbunan dosa seperti dosa mencuri akan timbul.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada; addressed here as 'Arjuna' in the received verse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It stresses mantra-discipline (niyama): Gāyatrī is prescribed as an auspicious opening recitation for rites, while improper night-recitation of a specified Anuṣṭubh mantra is said to generate a theft-like sin, highlighting the ethical power attributed to correct/incorrect ritual timing.
Though technical, it supports bhakti through disciplined practice: devotion is not only emotion but also faithful adherence to scriptural procedure—reciting the right mantra in the right context as an act of reverence toward Vedic order.
It reflects prayoga (ritual application) rules and chandas-awareness (metre: Gāyatrī and Anuṣṭubh), indicating that timing and correct deployment of mantras are part of technical Vedic discipline.