Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 42
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
रक्ष रक्ष प्रध्वंसय प्रध्वंसय कवचाय नमस्ततः ॐ ह्रूं फट् अस्त्राय नमो मूलवीजेन चाङ्गकं
rakṣa rakṣa pradhvaṃsaya pradhvaṃsaya kavacāya namastataḥ oṃ hrūṃ phaṭ astrāya namo mūlavījena cāṅgakaṃ
«احمِ، احمِ؛ دمِّر، دمِّر!» سلامٌ على الكَوَچَ (kavaca) درع الحماية. ثم يُقال: «أوم hrūṃ phaṭ»—سلامٌ على الأَسْتْرَ (astra) مانترا السلاح. ويُجرى أَنْغا-نياسا (aṅga-nyāsa) باستعمال المولا-بيجا (mūla-bīja) أي المقطع البذري الجذري.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Kavaca-and-astra protective rite: recite ‘rakṣa’ and ‘pradhvaṃsaya’ to establish armor, then deploy astra-mantra ‘oṃ hrūṃ phaṭ’ and perform aṅga-nyāsa with the mūla-bīja for sealing protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kavaca–Astra Mantra Sequence with Aṅga-Nyāsa (Oṃ Hrūṃ Phaṭ)","lookup_keywords":["raksha raksha","kavacha","hrum phat","astraaya namah","anga nyasa"],"quick_summary":"Establish protective armor (kavaca) through repeated commands, then ‘launch’ the astra with hrūṃ phaṭ; finalize by aṅga-nyāsa using the root seed-syllable to lock the protection into the body."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Protection is embodied: kavaca is installed through mantra and nyāsa; astra is the decisive dispersal force signaled by phaṭ.
Application: Use as a standard template in tantric pūjā for self-protection before/after rites and for warding obstacles.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kavacha / Tantra-prayoga (Protective rites and weapon-mantras)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka encircled by a luminous armor-like aura (kavaca), performing aṅga-nyāsa touches; a sharp burst of light at ‘phaṭ’ radiates outward like a weapon clearing obstacles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: concentric protective aura bands around the figure, stylized hand-to-limb nyāsa gestures, ‘phaṭ’ shown as a jagged flame motif, temple-lamp ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf kavaca halo, ornate aura patterns, the ‘astra’ as a radiant spear of light emanating at phaṭ, rich jewel tones and embossed detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: stepwise instructional composition—kavaca installation, then hrūṃ phaṭ emission, then aṅga-nyāsa points marked subtly; refined lines and calm background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: interior ritual chamber, detailed textiles and implements; luminous aura around practitioner; outward shockwave at phaṭ dispersing dark forms; fine facial expression."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नमस्ततः = नमः + ततः; चाङ्गकं = च + अङ्गकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-kavaca sections; Agni Purana: nyāsa (kara/aṅga) procedures; Agni Purana: phaṭ-kāra and astravidyā discussions
FAQs
It teaches kavacha (protective armor-mantra) and astra-mantra usage—reciting protective/destructive injunctions and then applying aṅga-nyāsa using the mūla-bīja (root seed syllable), specifically employing the bīja “hrūṃ” with “phaṭ” for repulsion.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical liturgical technology: mantra-grammar (bīja and phaṭ), ritual sequencing (“tataḥ”), and embodied practice (nyāsa). This reflects the Agni Purana’s wide scope across pūjā-vidhi, protective rites, and applied mantra-sādhana.
The kavacha and astra-mantra are framed as purification and protection practices—warding off harmful influences and inner obstacles, while aligning the practitioner’s body (through nyāsa) with sacred power for dharmic safeguarding.