Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 110
Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana
Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras
कामो ङेंतो हृषीकेशो हृदयांतो गजाक्षरः । ऋषिर्ब्रह्मास्य गायत्री छंदो गायत्रमीरितम् ॥ ११० ॥
kāmo ṅeṃto hṛṣīkeśo hṛdayāṃto gajākṣaraḥ | ṛṣirbrahmāsya gāyatrī chaṃdo gāyatramīritam || 110 ||
कामोऽस्यादिर्हृषीकेशोऽन्तः; हृदये गजाक्षरं निहितम्। अस्य मन्त्रस्य ऋषिर्ब्रह्मा, छन्दो गायत्रीति प्रकीर्तितम्॥
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada, in Vedanga/mantra-viniyoga style exposition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It encodes the mantra’s formal identity—its beginning, ending, heart-syllable, seer (ṛṣi), and metre (chandas)—showing that devotion to Vishnu (Hṛṣīkeśa) is practiced through disciplined Vedic mantra-application rather than mere recitation.
By naming Hṛṣīkeśa as the mantra’s terminal focus and prescribing the mantra’s chandas and ṛṣi, it frames bhakti as a precise sādhana: the devotee approaches Vishnu with correct mantra-structure, nyāsa placement (hṛdaya), and traditional authorization.
Chandas (metre) and mantra-viniyoga conventions are highlighted—identifying the ṛṣi (Brahmā) and the Gāyatrī metre, along with technical mantra parts (ādi/anta and heart-akṣara) used in ritual recitation and nyāsa.