Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
सूर्याद्याश् च ग्रहाः पान्तु मनुः स्वायम्भुवादिकः स्वायम्भुवः स्वारोचिष औत्तमिस्तामसो मनुः
sūryādyāś ca grahāḥ pāntu manuḥ svāyambhuvādikaḥ svāyambhuvaḥ svārociṣa auttamistāmaso manuḥ
لتَحْمِني الكواكبُ ابتداءً من الشمس؛ ولْيَحْمِني أيضًا المانو (Manu) ابتداءً من سْفايَمبهوفا (Svāyambhuva)، أي: سْفايَمبهوفا، وسْفاروچيشا (Svārociṣa)، وأوتّامي (Auttami)، وتامَسا مانو (Tāmasa Manu).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, within a rakṣā/graha-śānti context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Graha-śānti and rakṣā: reciting protective invocations to navagrahas and manvantara Manus for averting obstacles, stabilizing fortune, and sanctifying transitions (travel, initiation, illness-recovery rites).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Graha–Manu-rakṣā (Protection by planets and Manus)","lookup_keywords":["Sūrya","Graha-śānti","Svāyambhuva Manu","Svārociṣa","Tāmasa"],"quick_summary":"A protective formula invoking cosmic regulators—planets and early Manus—as guardians, suitable for śānti rites and daily protective remembrance."}
Concept: Cosmic order is maintained by grahas and Manus; aligning with them through mantra fosters protection and harmony.
Application: Use in graha-śānti, before major undertakings, and as a daily protective recollection to cultivate steadiness amid perceived planetary influences.
Khanda Section: Raksha-Mantra / Graha-Shanti (Protective invocations to planets and cosmic rulers)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee under a protective canopy of the Navagrahas, with four Manu-sages standing behind, all bestowing blessings; the Sun prominent at the top.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, navagraha row with Sūrya central and radiant, other grahas in traditional colors, four Manu ṛṣis behind with kamaṇḍalu, devotee in añjali, temple shrine ambiance","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold halos for Sūrya and grahas, embossed ornaments, Manus as serene sages, protective aura encircling the devotee, rich red background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, orderly iconographic layout of navagrahas with labels, Manus in a side panel, clean devotional composition suitable for instructional use","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly astrologer-priest performing śānti with lamps and offerings, grahas depicted in the sky as personified figures, Manus as ascetics near a riverbank hermitage"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूर्याद्याश्→सूर्याद्याः; औत्तमिस्तामसो→औत्तमिः+तामसः (सन्धि: इः + त्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: navagraha/śānti materials (general); Agni Purana 219.15 (continuation of Manu list)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga (protective invocation) that calls upon the grahas (planetary powers) and the early Manus as guardians, functioning as a graha-śānti/āpad-rakṣā formula within a larger protective recitation.
By combining jyotiṣa-oriented graha concepts with Purāṇic cosmology (the succession of Manus), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s wide scope—ritual protection, planetary theology, and cosmic governance appearing together in a practical liturgical unit.
Invoking grahas and Manus frames protection as alignment with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma): it is meant to pacify adverse influences, strengthen auspiciousness, and support purity and steadiness of mind during rites or times of danger.