Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 44
Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana
Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras
नंदपुत्राय तत्पश्चाद्बालान्ते वपुषे पदम् । ऊनविंशतिवर्णोऽयं मुनिर्ब्रह्मा समीरितः ॥ ४४ ॥
naṃdaputrāya tatpaścādbālānte vapuṣe padam | ūnaviṃśativarṇo'yaṃ munirbrahmā samīritaḥ || 44 ||
அதன்பின் ‘நந்தபுத்ராய’ என்ற பதத்தைச் சேர்க்க வேண்டும்; ‘பால’ என்ற சொல்லின் இறுதியில் வரும் வடிவத்தின்படி ‘வபுஷே’ என்ற பதத்தை அமைக்க வேண்டும். இம்மந்திரம் பத்தொன்பது எழுத்துகளுடையது என்று முனி பிரம்மா உரைத்தார்.
Narada (teaching in a technical/vedāṅga-style enumeration; attributed to Brahmā as authority)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It emphasizes that devotion to Kṛṣṇa (Nanda’s son) is supported by precise mantra-knowledge: sacred names are not arbitrary but preserved through exact phonetic form and syllable-count, validated by Brahmā’s authority.
Bhakti here is shown as disciplined remembrance—chanting and invoking Kṛṣṇa through correctly formed names/mantras. The verse links loving worship to accurate recitation and traditional transmission.
Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa: attention to phonetic segments (e.g., “bāla”-ending), mantra construction as a “padam,” and counting varṇas (syllables/letters) to preserve correct chanting and ritual usage.