Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 10
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
दुष्टर्क्षराशिविद्वेषिवर्णादीन् वर्जयेन्मनून् राज्यलाभोपकाराय प्रारभ्यारिः स्वरः कुरून्
duṣṭarkṣarāśividveṣivarṇādīn varjayenmanūn rājyalābhopakārāya prārabhyāriḥ svaraḥ kurūn
لأجل نيل مكاسب المُلك، ينبغي اجتناب المانترا أو صيغ الأسماء التي تبتدئ بنَكشَترا أو راشي غير ميمونين، وكذلك ما يبدأ بأصواتٍ معادية. بل تُنظَّم النبرةُ والنطقُ بحيث يكون الصوت منذ البدء ذا طابع «ari-» (قاهرًا للعدو).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Statecraft counsel: choose auspicious phonetic beginnings and avoid inauspicious nakṣatra/rāśi-linked formulas for royal success; apply sound-omen (śabda-lakṣaṇa) and electional astrology in naming/mantra initiation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rājya-lābha: Avoiding Duṣṭa Nakṣatra/Rāśi and Vaidveṣya Varṇa in Mantra/Name-formulas","lookup_keywords":["rājya-lābha","duṣṭa-nakṣatra","rāśi","varṇa-doṣa","śabda-śubha"],"quick_summary":"For sovereignty and political gain, avoid formulas beginning under/with inauspicious nakṣatra-rāśi indicators or inimical phonemes. Prefer a beginning sound-pattern that is ‘ari-’ (enemy-subduing) in force and well-intoned."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa
Concept: Ruler’s success is supported by śubha-kāla and śubha-śabda; avoid doṣa in beginnings (ārambha-śuddhi).
Application: In coronation, treaties, proclamations, and mantra-initiation, consult muhūrta and phonetic omens; standardize pronunciation/intonation for public rites.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft) / Jyotisha-related Counsel
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king’s council with a jyotiṣi and mantra-expert selecting auspicious syllables on a tablet, rejecting inauspicious nakṣatra/rāśi marks; a banner reading ‘ari-’ as the chosen opening sound.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: royal court scene, astrologer holding nakṣatra chart, scribe with palm-leaf writing syllables, rejected signs shown as dark motifs, chosen ‘ari’ highlighted, bold flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: enthroned king with gold ornamentation, priest presenting a written formula, gold-leaf emphasis on the chosen auspicious syllable, side medallions of nakṣatra and rāśi symbols.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional court tableau with labeled phonemes and nakṣatra icons, clear depiction of selection/avoidance process, refined lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: durbar with scholars, one points to a zodiac chart, another to a calligraphed syllable sequence, subtle tension of decision-making, intricate textiles and manuscripts."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्जयेन्मनून् = वर्जयेत् + मनून्. प्रथम पदे बहुपद-समासः: दुष्ट-ऋक्ष-राशि-विद्वेषि-वर्ण-आदीन्. (पाठे 'प्रारभ्यारिः' इति संधिः: प्रारभ्य + अरिः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rājadharma/Artha sections on coronation rites and omens; Jyotiṣa portions on duṣṭa nakṣatra; Śikṣā/varṇa-vidhi passages on svara
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for selecting/uttering mantras or name-formulas for political success: avoid inauspicious nakṣatra/rāśi and hostile initial phonemes, and begin with a sound-pattern considered enemy-subduing (ari-svara) to support royal attainment.
It blends governance (rājya-lābha), omen-science (nakṣatra/rāśi considerations), and mantra/phonetic discipline (varṇa, svara) into a single operational instruction—showing how the text integrates statecraft with ritual-astrological technique.
The instruction treats correct timing and sound as dharmic alignment: choosing auspicious conditions and disciplined speech is presented as a way to reduce harmful outcomes and support righteous success, especially in rulership and conflict.