Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 20
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
रक्षयेदात्मनो विद्यां प्रतिवादी यदा शिवः वारुण्यादि ततो न्यस्य ज्वरकाशविनाशनम्
rakṣayedātmano vidyāṃ prativādī yadā śivaḥ vāruṇyādi tato nyasya jvarakāśavināśanam
ينبغي صونُ الفِدْيا (معرفة المانترا) الخاصة بالمرء. فإذا صار الخصم «شِيفا» أي مُسَكَّنًا على وجهٍ مبارك، فبعد إيداع (نياسا nyāsa) الصيغ المتصلة بفارونا وما يتبعها، يتحقق إبطال الحُمّى والسعال.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instructional narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-cikitsā/nyāsa application (Vāruṇī-ādi) aimed at alleviating jvara (fever) and kāsa (cough), with an admonition to protect one’s vidyā/mantra from misuse and to proceed when opposition is pacified (śiva).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vāruṇī-nyāsa for Jvara–Kāsa Vināśana","lookup_keywords":["jvara","kasa","varuni-nyasa","mantra-chikitsa","rakshayed-vidyam"],"quick_summary":"Instructs safeguarding mantra-knowledge and applying a Varuṇa-linked nyāsa sequence to destroy fever and cough once conditions are auspicious/pacified."}
Concept: Vidyā-rakṣaṇa (guarding sacred knowledge) and right-context application (kāla/pātra) as ethical constraints on operative mantra.
Application: Maintain secrecy/discipline around mantras; apply therapeutic nyāsa only when the situation is settled and intent is aligned with śānti (non-hostile, auspicious conditions).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Mantra-chikitsa / Jvara-nivāraṇa Prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A therapeutic rite: the practitioner performs nyāsa (placing mantra) with a water-pot symbolizing Vāruṇī/Varuṇa, while guarding a manuscript/vidyā; the patient with fever/cough sits nearby as the atmosphere becomes calm (śiva).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, calm healing scene with a blue-green Varuṇa water-pot motif, healer touching specific body points (nyāsa), patient wrapped in cloth, a small manuscript chest indicating vidyā-rakṣaṇa, serene palette and bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, healer and patient framed by gold-embossed halo motifs, prominent ornate kalaśa for Vāruṇī, subtle Varuṇa emblem, rich reds/greens with gold work emphasizing auspicious śānti","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic painting: clear depiction of nyāsa points with gentle arrows, water-pot and mantra-scroll, patient coughing/fever indicated minimally, soft shading and precise lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor apothecary-like setting with a scholar-healer performing a ritual touch, attendants holding a water vessel, patient seated on a carpet, detailed textiles and architectural niches, restrained colors"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"soothing","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रक्षयेदात्मनो = रक्षयेत् + आत्मनः; वारुण्यादि = वारुणी + आदि; ततो न्यस्य = ततः + न्यस्य; ज्वरकाशविनाशनम् = ज्वर-कास-विनाशनम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311.17 (śānti–puṣṭi application guidance); Agni Purana 311.18 (Vāruṇī operation in protective rites); Agni Purana 311.19 (mantra-cikitsā for disease)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-protection and a therapeutic nyāsa application—using a Varuṇa-associated formula (vāruṇyādi) to remove jvara (fever) and kāśa (cough).
It exemplifies the text’s integration of ritual technology (mantra + nyāsa) with practical health outcomes, showing how Purāṇic instruction spans both spirituality and applied medicine.
By safeguarding vidyā and applying it in a restrained, auspicious (śiva) state, the practice is framed as disciplined, dharmic use of sacred power—aimed at purification and relief from suffering.