अतो बन्धनविच्छित्त्यै मन्त्रदीक्षां समाचरेत्
Therefore, to break the bonds, one should undertake initiation into mantra.
शुद्धात्मतत्त्वनामासौ निर्वाणपदमश्नुते
He who bears the pure knowledge of the Self attains the state of liberation.
यजते शिवं मन्त्रैश्च रवपरेषां हिताय सः
He worships Śiva with mantras for the welfare of those bound by fetters.
शिवशक्त्यादिभिः सार्द्धं पश्यत्यात्मगतावृत्तिः
Together with Śiva, Śakti, and others, he perceives the activity within the Self.
न प्रकाशयितुं शक्ता पाशत्वान्निगडादिवत्
But, due to bondage, he is unable to reveal it, like one shackled with chains.
अतः शास्त्रोक्तविधिना मत्रदीक्षां समाचरेत्
Therefore, one should undertake mantra initiation according to the scriptural injunction.
अनुष्टानं प्रकुर्वीत नित्यनमित्तिकात्मकम्
One should perform the practices, both regular and occasional.
यो यस्मिन्नाश्रमे तिष्टन्दीक्षां प्राप्नोति मानवः
In whatever stage of life a person stands, if he receives initiation,
कृतान्यपि न कर्माणि बन्धनाय भवन्ति हि
Even actions performed thereafter do not become causes of bondage.
दीक्षितो ऽभिलषेद्भोगान्यद्यल्लोकगतानसौ
If initiated, he may desire the enjoyments that exist in the world.
नित्यं नैमित्तिकं दीक्षां प्राप्य यो नाचरेन्नरः
A man who, having received initiation for regular or occasional rites, does not perform them—
तस्मात्तु दीक्षितः कुर्य्यान्नित्यनैमित्तिकादिकम्
Therefore, one who is initiated should perform all regular and occasional duties.
नित्यनैमित्तिकाचार पालकस्य नरस्य तु
Indeed, for a man who observes regular and occasional practices—
तत्रापि गुरुभक्तस्य गतिर्भवति नान्यथा
Even among them, only the one devoted to his teacher attains the goal, not otherwise.
दृष्टाद्यर्थतया यस्य गुरुभक्तिस्तु कृत्रिमा
But for one whose devotion to the teacher is artificial, based on visible gain—
कायेन मनसा वाचा गुरुभक्तिपरस्य च
He who is intent on devotion to the teacher in body, mind, and speech—
गुरुभक्तियुते शिष्ये सर्वस्वविनिवेदके
A disciple endowed with devotion to the teacher, who offers his all—
मिथ्याप्रयुक्तमन्त्रस्तु प्रायाश्चित्ती भवेद्गुरुः
If a mantra is recited falsely, the teacher must perform expiation.
दीक्षाविधिं प्रवक्ष्यामि मन्त्रसामर्थ्यदायकम्
I shall now explain the rite of initiation, which bestows the power of the mantra.
अतो दीक्षेति सा प्रोक्ता सर्वागमविशारदैः
Therefore, it is called 'initiation' by those well-versed in all the scriptures.
मननात्राणधर्मत्त्वान्मन्त्र इत्यभिधीयते
Because it protects through contemplation and upholding of dharma, it is called 'mantra.'
स्त्रीमन्त्रास्तु द्विठान्ताः स्युः पुंमन्त्रा हुंफडन्तकाः
Mantras ending in long vowels are feminine; those ending in 'huṃ' or 'phaṭ' are masculine.
पुन्दैवतास्तु मन्त्रा स्युर्विद्याः स्त्रीदैवता मताः
Mantras whose deities are masculine are called mantras; those whose deities are feminine are called vidyās.
तारान्त्यरेफः स्वाहास्तु तत्राग्नेयाः समीरिताः
Those ending with 'tārā' or 'repha' and 'svāhā' are declared to be of the fire element.
अग्नीषोमात्मका ह्येवं मन्त्रा ज्ञेया मनीषिभिः
Thus, mantras are to be understood by the wise as having the nature of Agni and Soma.
सौमयाश्चैव प्रबुध्यन्ते वामे वहति मारुतेः
Some are awakened by the lunar energy, and some by the leftward-moving wind.
स्वापकाले तु मन्त्रस्य जपो ऽनर्थफलप्रदः
If a mantra is recited while drowsy, it yields fruitless results.
अनुलोभे बिन्दुयुक्तान्विलोभे सर्गसंयुतान्
When the breath flows naturally, mantras with a bindu are used; when it is disturbed, those connected with creation are employed.
अनया मालया जप्तो दुष्टमन्त्रो ऽपि सिद्ध्यति
Even a faulty mantra attains success when recited with this garland.
शान्तज्ञानेतिरौद्रेयशान्तिजाति समन्वितः
It possesses tranquility, knowledge, non-wrath, and a peaceful nature.