Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1
Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana
Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras
श्रीसनत्कुमार उवाच । अथ कृष्णस्य मंत्राणां वक्ष्ये भेदान् मुनीश्वर । यान्समाराध्य मनुजाः साधयंतीष्टमात्मनः ॥ १ ॥
śrīsanatkumāra uvāca | atha kṛṣṇasya maṃtrāṇāṃ vakṣye bhedān munīśvara | yānsamārādhya manujāḥ sādhayaṃtīṣṭamātmanaḥ || 1 ||
श्रीसनत्कुमार उवाच—अथ कृष्णस्य मन्त्राणां भेदान् वक्ष्ये मुनीश्वर; यान् समाराध्य मनुजाः स्वेष्टं साधयन्त्यात्मनः॥
Sanatkumara
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It introduces a structured teaching on Kṛṣṇa-mantras, emphasizing that properly propitiated mantra-upāsanā is a valid sādhana for attaining one’s chosen spiritual or worldly aim.
Bhakti is implied through “samārādhya” (devout worship/propitiation): the verse frames mantra practice not as mere recitation, but as reverent devotion to Kṛṣṇa that bears fruit.
The verse signals a technical, classificatory approach (bheda) to mantras—typical of Narada Purana’s Third Pada—where correct mantra selection and disciplined upāsanā are treated as a practical ritual science.