The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras
श्मशानभस्मना कृत्वा शवं तस्योपरि न्यसेत् । विरोधिनामसंरुद्धं कृष्णे पक्षे समुच्चरेत् ॥ १६७ ॥
śmaśānabhasmanā kṛtvā śavaṃ tasyopari nyaset | virodhināmasaṃruddhaṃ kṛṣṇe pakṣe samuccaret || 167 ||
శ్మశాన భస్మంతో దానిని తయారుచేసి దాని మీద శవాన్ని ఉంచాలి। కృష్ణపక్షంలో శత్రునామాలతో ఆవరించి జపిస్తే ప్రత్యర్థి నిరోధింపబడును॥ १६७ ॥
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
It illustrates a technical (prayoga) use of mantra and ritual timing (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) aimed at restraining an adversary, reflecting the text’s cataloging of applied ritual sciences rather than devotional worship.
This verse is not a bhakti teaching; it belongs to a procedural, ritual-technical context focused on mantra application and ritual materials, contrasting with Narada Purana’s separate emphasis on Vishnu-bhakti elsewhere.
It highlights ritual prayoga principles—nyāsa/placement, the use of specific substances (śmaśāna-bhasma), and calendrical timing (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa), aligning with applied ritual knowledge and auxiliary discipline around correct performance.