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

குருவின் வாயிலிருந்து தீட்சா-ஸம்ஸ்காரத்துடன் மந்திரத்தைப் பெற்றவன் பிரம்மச்சாரியாக இருக்க வேண்டும்—ஹவிஷ்ய உணவை உண்டு, சத்தியம் பேசிக், இந்திரியங்களை வெல்ல வேண்டும்.

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.