Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 30
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
स सार्णो दृश्यते यस्तु स मंत्रो दग्धसंज्ञकः । अस्रं द्वाभ्यां त्रिभिः षड्भिरष्टाभिर्दृश्यतेऽक्षरेः ॥ ३० ॥
sa sārṇo dṛśyate yastu sa maṃtro dagdhasaṃjñakaḥ | asraṃ dvābhyāṃ tribhiḥ ṣaḍbhiraṣṭābhirdṛśyate'kṣareḥ || 30 ||
Thần chú nào thấy có “sārṇa” (dấu âm mũi/visarga-like hay dấu phụ kèm theo) thì gọi là thần chú “dagdha” (bị cháy, khiếm khuyết). Hình thế mantrik gọi là “asra” được thấy khi cấu thành bởi hai, ba, sáu hoặc tám âm tiết (akṣara).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedanga/Mantra-śāstra context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It emphasizes that mantra-efficacy depends on correct phonetics and structure; certain phonetic marks and syllabic formations are treated as technical indicators for judging a mantra’s fitness in ritual use.
Even in devotion, the Purana upholds disciplined practice: bhakti expressed through japa and ritual should follow proper śikṣā (pronunciation) and mantra-lakṣaṇa so that worship is performed without technical faults.
Śikṣā and mantra-śāstra: it classifies mantras by observable phonetic marks (like sārṇa) and by akṣara-count patterns (2/3/6/8), a practical diagnostic used in correct recitation and ritual application.