Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 21
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
स्थावरत्वं पुरा होमं सरीसृपमतः परं पक्षिमृगपशुत्वञ्च मानुषं ब्राह्ममेव च
sthāvaratvaṃ purā homaṃ sarīsṛpamataḥ paraṃ pakṣimṛgapaśutvañca mānuṣaṃ brāhmameva ca
أولًا تكون حالة الثبات وعدم الحركة (sthāvara، كالنبات أو الكائن الثابت)، ثم حالة الزواحف/الزاحفين (sarisṛpa). وبعد ذلك تأتي أحوال كون المرء طائرًا أو وحشًا بريًّا أو ماشيةً؛ ثم (الولادة) إنسانًا؛ وأخيرًا مقام براهما، وهو أسمى الأحوال.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"A compact taxonomy of rebirth states used for ethical instruction: actions condition ascent from immobile to human and beyond, motivating dharmic conduct and sādhanā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rebirth Ladder: Sthāvara → Sarīsṛpa → Pakṣi/Mṛga/Paśu → Mānuṣa → Brāhma","lookup_keywords":["sthāvara","sarīsṛpa","pakṣi","mānuṣa-janma","brāhma-gati"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists a graded sequence of embodied states culminating in the highest ‘brāhma’ condition, framing saṃsāra as an ordered ascent shaped by karma."}
Concept: Embodiment is a karmically ordered continuum; human birth is a pivotal station enabling liberation-oriented pursuit culminating in brahma-bhāva/gati.
Application: Use the rarity/value of mānuṣa-janma as motivation for dharma, restraint, and sādhanā rather than sense-driven living.
Khanda Section: Karma-vipaka & Samsara (Rebirth taxonomy; encyclopedic dharma teaching)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vertical ‘ladder’ of births: plant/tree (sthāvara), serpent (sarīsṛpa), bird, wild animal, cattle, human, and a radiant sage-like ‘brāhma’ state at the top.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stacked narrative panels showing each yoni in sequence, culminating in luminous brahma-like sage form, earthy palette, bold outlines, temple mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, tiered composition with gold accents on the final brāhma state, each birth-form rendered iconically, ornate borders, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic chart-like scene with clear separation of categories (sthāvara, sarīsṛpa, pakṣi, mṛga, paśu, mānuṣa, brāhma), soft colors and fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic flora and fauna in successive bands, human figure in scholarly attire, final radiant ascetic, intricate landscape detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पक्षिमृगपशुत्वञ्च→पक्षिमृगपशुत्वम्+च; ब्राह्ममेव→ब्राह्मम्+एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana (karma-vipāka and saṃsāra discussions in adjacent sections)
FAQs
It outlines a graded taxonomy of embodiments (yoni-bheda)—from immobile life through reptiles, birds/animals/cattle, up to human and the highest ‘brāhma’ condition—used in karma-vipāka teaching to map karmic outcomes.
By cataloging rebirth categories in a systematic sequence, it functions like a doctrinal index of samsāra—one of the Purana’s many ‘handbook’ style lists alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and aesthetics.
It conveys that actions shape the level of embodiment: lower, constrained forms are earlier/less capable states, while human birth and the ‘brāhma’ state represent progressively greater capacity for dharma, knowledge, and liberation-oriented practice.