Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 185
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
पाशी बकः कर्णनेत्रवर्मास्त्रांतः षडक्षरः । मनुः पाशुपतास्त्राख्यो ग्रहक्षुद्रनिवारणः ॥ १८५ ॥
pāśī bakaḥ karṇanetravarmāstrāṃtaḥ ṣaḍakṣaraḥ | manuḥ pāśupatāstrākhyo grahakṣudranivāraṇaḥ || 185 ||
இவை மந்திரங்கள்—‘பாசீ’, ‘பக’, ‘கர்ண-நேத்ர-வர்மாஸ்த்ராந்த’; மேலும் ஷடக்ஷர மந்திரம்; ‘பாசுபதாஸ்த்ர’ எனப் புகழ்பெற்ற மந்திரம்—இவை அனைத்தும் கிரகத்தால் உண்டாகும் துன்பங்களையும் சிறு தீய சக்திகளின் இடையூறுகளையும் நீக்குவதற்காகும்।
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It classifies specific protective mantras as applied tools of mantra-vidyā—meant to neutralize disturbances (upadravas) such as planetary afflictions and lesser harmful forces, showing the Purana’s technical, Vedanga-oriented dimension.
Bhakti here is expressed as practical reliance on sacred mantra-power under a guru-led tradition—using authorized formulas for protection while maintaining reverence for the deities invoked (especially the Pāśupata principle).
It reflects applied Jyotiṣa and ritual technology: ‘graha’ indicates astrological afflictions, and the mention of kavacha/varma and astra-ending formulas points to procedural mantra-usage for śānti (pacification) and rakṣā (protection).