Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 29
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
ग्रहान् प्रेतग्रहांश्चापि तथा वै डाकिनीग्रहान् वेतालांश् च पिशाचांश् च गन्धर्वान् यक्षराक्षसान्
grahān pretagrahāṃścāpi tathā vai ḍākinīgrahān vetālāṃś ca piśācāṃś ca gandharvān yakṣarākṣasān
([هذه التلاوة/الشعيرة تدفع]) الغراها (عللًا قاهرةً «تقبض»)، وكذلك غراها البريتا (تلبّس أرواح الموتى)، وأيضًا غراها الداكيني؛ كما تدفع الفيتالا، والبيشاتشا، والغاندهرفا، والياكشا، والراكشاسا.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bhūta-preta-graha-śānti recitation/rite for warding off possession-like afflictions, nightmares, sudden seizures, and fear states; used in household protection and temple-based śānti-karmas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Afflictive beings targeted in Graha-śānti: Preta, Ḍākinī, Vetāla, Piśāca, etc.","lookup_keywords":["graha-śānti","preta-graha","ḍākinī","vetāla","piśāca"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates classes of seizing/afflictive entities that a protective rite aims to repel, functioning as a checklist for comprehensive spiritual safeguarding."}
Concept: Community/household protection as a dharmic duty; ritual order imposed upon perceived chaos (graha/bhūta taxonomy).
Application: Perform śānti-karmas (japa, homa, bali where appropriate) to restore social and mental equilibrium, especially during liminal times (night, illness, postpartum, travel).
Khanda Section: Bhuta-Preta-Graha-Shanti (Protective rites against afflictive spirits and seizures)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective rite encircles a household/temple space; shadowy figures labeled as graha, preta, ḍākinī, vetāla, piśāca, gandharva, yakṣa, rākṣasa are driven back by mantra-light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual circle with lamps, priest chanting, fierce protective light pushing back stylized dark spirits (vetāla/piśāca forms), dramatic contrast, temple ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central protective deity-symbol (lamp/mandala) with gold ornamentation, spirits at the margins recoiling, auspicious borders, emphasis on śānti and protection","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, orderly depiction of the listed beings as small labeled vignettes around a chanting practitioner, clear didactic arrangement, soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-time courtyard with lamps, exorcistic recitation scene, spirits rendered as faint translucent figures at edges, fine architectural detail and controlled drama"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective-ritual","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pretagrahāṃścāpi = preta-grahān + ca + api; yakṣarākṣasān treated as dvandva; vetālāṃś ca = vetālān + ca (anusvāra/ś sandhi in recitation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (bhūta-preta-graha-śānti context); Agni Purana materials on rakṣā, bali, and śānti rites (general)
FAQs
It enumerates the classes of afflictive beings/forces (graha, preta-graha, ḍākinī-graha, vetāla, piśāca, etc.) that a protective rite or mantra in this chapter is intended to pacify and drive away.
By cataloging spirit-affliction categories and their ritual management, it preserves Bhūta-vidyā–style knowledge (protective and pacificatory practice) alongside other disciplines, showing the Purāṇa’s wide technical scope.
It frames the practice as a means of purification and protection—removing obstructive, harmful influences so that dharma, health, and auspiciousness can be restored and maintained.