Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 23
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
शक्रः सेनापतिः स्कन्दो वरुणश्चाश्रितस्त्वयि प्रदहन्तु रिपून् सर्वान् राजा विजयमृच्छतु
śakraḥ senāpatiḥ skando varuṇaścāśritastvayi pradahantu ripūn sarvān rājā vijayamṛcchatu
ليقم شَكرا (إندرا)، وقائدُ الجند سكَندا، وفارونا—وقد اتخذوا فيك ملجأً—بإحراق الأعداء جميعًا؛ وليبلغِ الملكُ الظَّفَر.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Royal protection and victory prayer in rājadharma context—invoking Indra, Skanda as senāpati, and Varuṇa to destroy enemies and secure conquest.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Rāja-Rakṣā and Vijaya: Śakra–Skanda–Varuṇa Invocation","lookup_keywords":["rāja-rakṣā","vijaya","Skanda senāpati","Indra Śakra","Varuṇa"],"quick_summary":"A kingship-oriented protective mantra: martial and sovereign deities are invoked to neutralize foes and establish victory as a dharmic outcome of protected rule."}
Weapon Type: Spear (Skanda’s śakti) / general martial power
Concept: Rājadharma seeks victory not as mere aggression but as protection of order; divine refuge (āśraya) is framed as empowering righteous rule and restraint over hostility.
Application: Used in coronation/campaign rites; reinforces the king’s duty to align force with dharma and to seek protection through sanctioned ritual.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Raja-raksha Mantras (Protective invocations for kingship and victory)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands with folded hands or holding a standard; above/around him appear Indra, Skanda as commander, and Varuṇa; enemies are shown being scorched/repelled as a symbolic ‘burning’ of opposition; banners and army formations in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central crowned king, Indra on elephant Airāvata, Skanda youthful with spear and peacock, Varuṇa with pāśa and water motifs, enemies fading at the periphery as flames of divine power, bold outlines and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, triad of Indra-Skanda-Varuṇa with gold halos, king below receiving protection, embossed gold on armor and crowns, symbolic flames consuming enemy silhouettes, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, courtly campaign-rite scene: purohita recites, king before a small altar, above appear the three deities in neat registers, background shows disciplined troops, clear narrative clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, royal durbar before departure to war, the king in ornate armor, subtle divine apparitions in clouds (Indra, Skanda, Varuṇa), enemies depicted in a distant vignette being routed, intricate textiles and weapon details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"martial","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वरुणश्चाश्रितस्त्वयि = वरुणः + च + आश्रितः + त्वयि; विजयमृच्छतु = विजयम् + ऋच्छतु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 268 (rāja-rakṣā mantras)
FAQs
A rāja-rakṣā/vijaya-prārthanā: an invocation calling Indra, Skanda (as senāpati), and Varuṇa as protective powers to neutralize enemies and secure royal victory.
It illustrates the text’s statecraft layer (rājadharma) by embedding practical royal-protection and victory formulas alongside broader religious instruction—showing how governance, warfare, and ritual are treated together.
By taking refuge (āśraya) in the invoked divine order and protectors, the king’s campaign is framed as dharmic, seeking victory through sanctioned protection rather than mere aggression.