Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 22
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
भूर्जे रोचनया लिख्य एतद्वज्राकुलं पुरम् क्रमस्थैर् मन्त्रवीजैस्तु रक्षां देहेषु कारयेत्
bhūrje rocanayā likhya etadvajrākulaṃ puram kramasthair mantravījaistu rakṣāṃ deheṣu kārayet
بعد أن يُكتَب هذا الرسم الوقائي «Vajrākula» (وهو «الحصن») على لحاء شجر البتولا بصبغة الغوروچانا (gorocanā)، ينبغي إجراء الحماية على الأجساد (للمقصودين) بواسطة مقاطع البذور المانتريّة (bīja) المرتّبة ترتيبًا ثابتًا محكمًا.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in a didactic narrative frame typical of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Preparation of a protective yantra (‘Vajrākula-pura’) on bhūrja-patra using gorocanā, followed by mantra-bīja sequencing for bodily protection rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vajrākula Protective Yantra on Birch-bark with Gorocanā","lookup_keywords":["vajrākula","yantra-lekhana","bhūrja-patra","gorocanā","mantra-bīja"],"quick_summary":"Gives a ritual-technical method: inscribe the Vajrākula ‘fortress’ yantra on birch-bark with gorocanā and apply protection to persons through correctly ordered bīja-mantras."}
Concept: Rakṣā through mantra–yantra integration: form (yantra) + sound (bīja) + correct order (krama) yields protective efficacy.
Application: Use in apotropaic rites: preparing an amulet/diagram and performing rakṣā on individuals (deheṣu) via mantra-krama.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Raksha & Yantra-Lekhana (Protective rites; Tantra-influenced ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist writes a geometric ‘fortress’ yantra on birch-bark using yellow gorocanā, then performs protective application on devotees with bīja-mantras in a fixed sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, ritualist seated with bhūrja-patra, stylus dipped in gorocanā, bold yantra geometry, devotees nearby, lamp-lit sanctum feel, earthy reds and yellows","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yantra on birch-bark with gold accents, priest performing rakṣā, rich textiles, gold leaf aura around the diagram","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear diagrammatic yantra, step-by-step feel, priest writing bīja syllables in neat Devanagari, calm palette and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like precision, scholar-priest inscribing yantra on bark, attendants holding ink/pigment, detailed geometric diagram, interior setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एतद्वज्राकुलम् = एतत्-वज्र-आकुलम्; मन्त्रवीजैस्तु = मन्त्र-बीजैः + तु; क्रमस्थैर् = क्रम-स्थैः (रेफ-सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (Mantra-rakṣā / Yantra-lekhana subsections)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-vidhi: inscribing a protective ‘Vajrākula’ “fortress” on bhūrja (birch-bark) using gorocanā pigment and applying protection through properly sequenced mantra-bīja (seed syllables).
Beyond myth and theology, it preserves practical ritual technology—materials (bhūrja, gorocanā), inscription practice, and mantra-bīja sequencing—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of applied protective rites alongside other sciences.
The act frames protection as a dharmic, sanctified safeguard: mantra-bīja and consecrated inscription are treated as spiritually potent means to avert harm and stabilize the practitioner/recipient through sacred sound and ritual order (krama).