आद्यन्तमध्ये फट्कारः षोढा यस्मिन्प्रदृश्यते
At the beginning, end, and middle, the syllable 'phaṭ' is seen six times in it.
कूट एकाक्षरो मन्त्रः स एवोक्तो निरंशकः
A mantra that is a single syllable, called 'kūṭa', is said to be indivisible.
षड्वर्णो बीजहीनो वा सार्द्धसप्ताक्षरो ऽपि वा
A mantra of six syllables, or one without a seed, or even one and a half times seven syllables.
सार्द्धबीजत्रययुतो मन्त्रो विंशतिवर्णवान्
A mantra endowed with one and a half seeds, and three, has twenty syllables.
यो मन्त्रो दन्तवर्णस्तु मोहितः स तु कीर्तितः
A mantra whose syllables are dental is considered bewildered.
क्षुधार्तः स तु विज्ञेयो मन्त्रसिद्धिविवर्जितः
Such a mantra is to be understood as hungry, lacking the accomplishment of mantra power.
त्रयोर्विंशतिवर्णो वा स मनुर्दृप्तसंज्ञकः
A mantra with twenty-three syllables is called arrogant.
एकोन त्रिंशदर्णो वा मन्त्रो हीनाङ्गकः स्मृतः
A mantra with twenty-nine syllables is regarded as deficient in its limbs.
अतिक्रूरः स विज्ञेयो ऽखिलकर्मसु गर्हितः
Such a mantra is excessively cruel and is condemned in all rituals.
व्रीडितः स तु विज्ञेयः सर्वकर्मसु न क्षमः
Such a mantra is to be known as ashamed and is unsuitable for any ritual.
पञ्चषषअट्यर्णमारभ्य नवनन्दाक्षरावधि
Beginning from sixty-five syllables up to nine syllables of delight—
त्रयोदशार्णा ये मन्त्रास्तिथ्यर्णाश्च तथा पुनः
Mantras with thirteen syllables, as well as those with fixed syllable counts again—
शतं सार्द्धशतं वापि शतद्वयमथापि वा
One hundred, one hundred fifty, or even two hundred syllables—
ये मन्त्रा वर्णसंख्याका निःस्नेहास्ते प्रकीर्तिताः
Mantras whose syllable count is fixed and devoid of affection are thus described.
अतिवृद्धाः प्रयोगेषु शिथिलास्ते समीरिताः
Those that are excessively long in practice are declared to be slack.
तद्वर्द्ध्वं चैव ये मन्त्राः स्तोत्ररूपास्तु ते स्मृताः
Mantras beyond that, which take the form of hymns, are considered as such.
दोषानेतानविज्ञाय मन्त्रानेताञ्जपन्ति ये
Those who recite mantras without knowing their faults and qualities—
छिन्नादिदोषदुष्टानां मन्त्राणां साधनं ब्रुवे
I declare the method for rectifying mantras corrupted by faults such as being broken.
यं कञ्चिदपि वा मन्त्रं तस्य स्युः सर्वसिद्धयः
Even any mantra whatsoever may yield all accomplishments.
योनिमुद्राबन्ध एवं भवेदासनमुत्तमम्
Thus, the posture is perfected by the application of yoni-mudra and bandha.
तदग्रे सरहस्यं ते कथयिष्यामि नारद
Ahead, I will tell you the secret, O Narada.
गुर्वनुज्ञारतः श्रीमानभिषेकसमन्वितः
One who is devoted to the guru’s permission, endowed with prosperity and consecration—
मन्त्रतन्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञो निग्रहानुग्रहक्षमः
He who knows the essence of mantras, tantras, and their meanings, and is capable of both restraint and favor.
तत्त्वनिष्कासने दक्षो विनयी च सुवेषवान्
Skilled in extracting the truth, humble, and well-dressed.
नित्यानुष्टानसंयुक्तस्त्वाचार्यः परिकीर्तितः
Constantly engaged in prescribed practices, such a one is called a teacher.
शमादिसाधनोपेतः श्रद्धावान् सुस्थिराशयः
Endowed with the means of tranquility and other virtues, possessing faith and a firm mind.
दृढव्रतसमाचारः कृतज्ञः पापभीरुकः
Steadfast in vows and conduct, grateful, and fearful of wrongdoing.
एवंविधो भवेच्छिष्यस्त्वन्यथा गुरुदुःखदः
A disciple should be of such a nature; otherwise, he brings sorrow to the teacher.
प्राक्प्रत्यग्दक्षिणोदक्चपञ्चसूत्राणि पातयेत्
Let him lay out five threads: east, west, south, north, and downward.
तत्राद्यप्रथमे त्वाद्यं द्वितीयाद्ये द्वितीयकम्
There, in the first and foremost, place the first; in the second, place the second.