Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 167
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
भूतार्तस्य स्मृतं मूर्ध्नि भूतमाशु विनाशयेत् । पीडितांगे स्मृतं तत्तत्पीडां शमयति ध्रुवम् ॥ १६७ ॥
bhūtārtasya smṛtaṃ mūrdhni bhūtamāśu vināśayet | pīḍitāṃge smṛtaṃ tattatpīḍāṃ śamayati dhruvam || 167 ||
Apabila ia diingati (dibaca) di atas kepala orang yang ditimpa gangguan bhūta (makhluk halus), ia segera memusnahkan bhūta itu. Apabila diingati pada anggota yang sakit, ia pasti menenangkan kesakitan yang berkenaan.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents mantra-smaraṇa (recollection/recitation) as a dharmic remedial application: directed recitation is said to remove subtle afflictions (bhūta-upadrava) and calm physical suffering, showing the Purana’s integration of spiritual practice with practical well-being.
Though framed as a technical remedy, it supports bhakti in practice by emphasizing faithful remembrance (smaraṇa) and recitation as a means to invoke protective spiritual power; devotion expressed through consistent smaraṇa is treated as efficacious.
It reflects mantra-prayoga (applied recitation) and viniyoga-like specificity—where the place of application (head vs. afflicted limb) is prescribed—typical of technical, ritual-application knowledge associated with Vedanga-style practice.