Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
लिलैहीमैश् च सर्वाप्त्यै नामव्याहृतिभिस् तथा अनन्ताय नमः स्वाहा कुलिकाय नमः स्वधा
lilaihīmaiś ca sarvāptyai nāmavyāhṛtibhis tathā anantāya namaḥ svāhā kulikāya namaḥ svadhā
মৃদু (মধুৰ) উচ্চাৰণ আৰু ‘হীং’ বীজসহ সৰ্বাৰ্থসিদ্ধিৰ বাবে নাম-ব্যাহৃতি এইদৰে প্ৰয়োগ কৰিব— “অনন্তায় নমঃ স্বাহা”; “কুলিকায় নমঃ স্বধা”।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Use of bīja-syllable and nāma-vyāhṛti formulas with appropriate offering-closures (svāhā/svadhā) to accomplish desired aims in homa/tarpaṇa contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Nāma-vyāhṛti prayoga with hīṃ; Ananta–svāhā and Kulikā–svadhā","lookup_keywords":["hīṃ","nāma-vyāhṛti","svāhā","svadhā","Ananta Kulikā"],"quick_summary":"For siddhi of aims, utter pleasingly with the bīja hīṃ and apply name-formulas: ‘Anantāya namaḥ svāhā’ (homa) and ‘Kulikāya namaḥ svadhā’ (pitṛ/tarpaṇa-style closure)."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy depends on correct bīja, name-invocation, and the proper ritual closure-word (svāhā vs svadhā) aligned to the rite’s recipient.
Application: Choose svāhā for fire-offering/ देवता-oriented oblation; choose svadhā for pitṛ/tarpaṇa-style offerings; keep pronunciation gentle and steady.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Puja-vidhi / Tantric-style oblation and name-invocation formulas)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest at a small fire-altar chanting softly, with the bīja ‘hīṃ’ written on a palm-leaf; two separate formula lines shown: Ananta with svāhā near the fire, Kulikā with svadhā near a water-vessel for tarpaṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest before homa-kuṇḍa, stylized flames, palm-leaf with ‘hīṃ’, Ananta suggested as endless serpent motif behind, Kulikā suggested as nāga emblem near a water pot, rich reds/ochres, temple lamps.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-leaf fire altar and ornaments, mantra text bands ‘Anantāya namaḥ svāhā’ and ‘Kulikāya namaḥ svadhā’, priest in silk, conch and ladle, decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic split-panel: left homa with svāhā, right tarpaṇa with svadhā, clear calligraphic mantra labels, calm palette and precise ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor ritual scene, fine detail of ladle, ghee pot, water vessel, calligraphy cartouches for the two formulas, subdued elegance and architectural niche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नামव्याहृतिभिस् = नाम + व्याहृतिभिः (visarga/स् sandhi in pada); lilaihīmaiś = लिलैहीमैः (ः + च → श् before c in continuous recitation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (mantra-vidhi; nāga-stuti; rakṣā-kalpa)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-prayoga: using a bīja-like syllable (“hīṃ”) and nāma-vyāhṛti (name-formula) invocations, with the correct ritual endings—svāhā for deity-offerings and svadhā in the svadhā-formula—specifically naming Ananta and Kulikā.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual compendium style—preserving precise liturgical mechanics (phonemes, name-formulas, and offering-endings) alongside its many other domains, making it a handbook of applied religious procedure.
Correctly performed name-invocation with proper ritual endings is presented as a means to sarvāpti (attainment of aims), implying purification and merit through disciplined mantra usage and properly directed offerings.