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.
छिन्नादिदोषयुक्तास्ते नैव रक्षन्ति साधकम्
Those mantras afflicted by defects such as being broken do not protect the practitioner.
कर्महीनो नेत्रहीनः कीलितः स्तंभितस्तथा
Without ritual, without the eye, bound, immobilized likewise.
भेदितश्च सुषुप्तश्च मदोन्मत्तश्च मूर्च्छितः
Broken, dormant, intoxicated, mad, and fainted.
कुमारो ऽथ युवा प्रौढो वृद्धो निस्त्रिंशकस्तथा
A boy, a youth, mature, old, and also one without a sword.
सत्त्वहीनः केकरश्च बीजहीनश्च धृमितः
Without vitality, hoarse, without seed, and trembling.
अङ्गहीनो ऽतिक्रुद्धश्चातिक्रूरे व्रीडितस्तथा
Without limbs, excessively angry, extremely cruel, and ashamed.
अतिवृद्धो ऽतिनिःस्नेहः पीडितश्च तथा पुनः
Excessively aged, utterly devoid of affection, and again afflicted.
संयुक्तं वा वियुक्तं वा त्रिधा वा स्वरसंयुतम्
Whether joined, separated, or threefold, accompanied by sound.
चतुर्द्धा पञ्चधा वापि स मन्त्रश्छिन्नसंज्ञकः
In fourfold or fivefold ways, that mantra is called 'broken.'
स तु रुद्धो मनुज्ञेयो ह्यतिक्लशेन सिद्धिदः
That which is obstructed is to be known as giving success only with great difficulty.