Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 16
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
भयावहञ्च भद्रञ्च भगणं भयसूदनम् द्वादशैते दशपङ्क्तौ देवत्रासञ्च पश्चिमे
bhayāvahañca bhadrañca bhagaṇaṃ bhayasūdanam dvādaśaite daśapaṅktau devatrāsañca paścime
«Bhayāvaha» و«Bhadra»، و«Bhagaṇa» و«Bhayasūdana»—هذه الأسماء الاثنا عشر تُرتَّب في صفٍّ من عشرة؛ و«Devatrāsa» يُوضَع في الجهة الغربية.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rakṣā-vidhi using a structured name-list (nāma-gaṇa) of Gaṇapati: arranging protective epithets in specified rows and directional placement (west) for warding fear and divine/hostile disturbances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gaṇapati rakṣā-nāma-vyūha: Bhayāvaha–Bhayasūdana; Devatrāsa in the west","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā-vidhi","nāma-gaṇa","Bhayasūdana","Devatrāsa","paścima-sthāna"],"quick_summary":"Deploy Gaṇapati’s protective names in a prescribed arrangement; place ‘Devatrāsa’ on the western side to complete the directional guard against fear and disturbances."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-mālā (enumerative epithet-list)
Concept: Protective efficacy is systematized through nāma and dik-vinyāsa: sacred sound mapped onto space to create a psychological and ritual ‘shield’.
Application: Use the name-array as a boundary-setting practice (dik-bandha) before rites, travel, or entering contested spaces; emphasize west placement as instructed.
Khanda Section: Mantra-nama-gana (Protective Name-Lists / Raksha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective grid or ring of Gaṇapati names arranged in rows around a ritual space; the western segment clearly marked with ‘Devatrāsa’, forming a directional shield against fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritual enclosure with directional markers, name-bands encircling the space, west side highlighted with ‘Devatrāsa’, priest drawing/placing syllables, dramatic protective mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: decorative protective yantra-like panel with gold-lettered names, compass directions, west quadrant emphasized, central auspicious motif, rich reds and gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram—rectangular or circular layout with rows of names, arrows for west placement, clean Devanāgarī labels, minimal ornament for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor ritual scene with a parchment/cloth showing arranged names, a compass-like directional frame, west side annotated, attendants watching, fine calligraphy and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भयावहञ्च = भयावहम् च; भद्रञ्च = भद्रम् च; द्वादशैते = द्वादश एते; देवत्रासञ्च = देवत्रासम् च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317 (rakṣā and name-arrangement within Ganapati rites)
FAQs
It gives a precise ritual-technical instruction for arranging specific sacred names in a structured grid/row (daśa-paṅkti) and placing one name (‘Devatrāsa’) specifically in the western direction—typical of rakṣā (protective) mantra/nyāsa or yantra-style procedures.
Beyond mythology, it preserves procedural details—name-lists, counting/placement rules, and direction-based ritual geometry—showing the Agni Purana’s handbook-like coverage of applied liturgy alongside theology.
Such ordered placement of fear-dispelling names is intended to create ritual protection (rakṣā), mitigate भय (fear) and inauspicious influences, and establish auspiciousness (bhadra) through correctly performed directional and numerical observances.