Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
चतुर्विशतिवर्णो वा सप्तविंशतिवर्णवान् । क्षुधार्तः स तु विज्ञेयो मंत्रसिद्धिविवर्जितः ॥ ४८ ॥
caturviśativarṇo vā saptaviṃśativarṇavān | kṣudhārtaḥ sa tu vijñeyo maṃtrasiddhivivarjitaḥ || 48 ||
Dù thần chú gồm hai mươi bốn âm tiết hay hai mươi bảy âm tiết—nếu người hành trì bị khổ vì đói, thì phải hiểu là người ấy không có thành tựu thần chú (mantra-siddhi).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedanga/mantra-śāstra context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-siddhi is not determined only by a mantra’s formal structure (such as syllable-count) but by the sādhaka’s disciplined condition; being overcome by hunger is given as a clear sign that accomplishment has not arisen.
Even in devotional japa, steadiness (niyama) supports bhakti; the verse implies that uncontrolled bodily distress disrupts focused remembrance, so the devotee should practice with regulated conduct to sustain single-pointed devotion.
A technical mantra-śāstra point is highlighted: metrics/varna-count alone is insufficient—practical discipline in japa (including proper regulation of food and bodily stability) is treated as essential for mantra-siddhi.