Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 7
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
वस्ते पटे तरौ भूर्जे शिलायां यष्टिकासु च मध्ये कोष्ठे साध्यनाम पूर्वादौ पट्टिकासु च
vaste paṭe tarau bhūrje śilāyāṃ yaṣṭikāsu ca madhye koṣṭhe sādhyanāma pūrvādau paṭṭikāsu ca
বস্ত্ৰত, পটত, গছত, ভূর্জপত্ৰত, শিলাত আৰু সৰু যষ্টিতো লিখিব। যন্ত্ৰৰ মধ্য কোষ্ঠত সাধ্যৰ নাম লিখি, পূৰ্ব দিশৰ পৰা আৰম্ভ কৰি পট্টিকাসুতও ক্ৰমে লিখিব।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guidelines for selecting inscription media and correctly placing the sādhya-name within a yantra’s central compartment and directional labels, enabling targeted protective/ritual operations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yantra-lekhana media and sādhya-nāma placement (madhya-koṣṭha; east-first labels)","lookup_keywords":["yantra-lekhana","bhūrja-patra","madhya-koṣṭha","sādhya-nāma","pattikā"],"quick_summary":"Inscribe the diagram/mantra on cloth, garment, tree, birch-bark, stone, or sticks; write the target name in the central cell and on directional strips beginning from the east for correct ritual orientation."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is tied to correct material support (ādhāra), spatial orientation (dik), and precise naming (nāma) within the yantra’s structure.
Application: When preparing a rakṣā-yantra, choose an appropriate medium (portable or durable), place the target name in the center, and follow east-first directional labeling to maintain ritual correctness.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra & Yantra-Lekhana (Protective rites; mantra-inscription media)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner prepares a yantra on different media—cloth, birch-bark, stone, and small wooden sticks—showing the central square labeled with the sādhya-name and peripheral strips labeled from the eastern side onward.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-priest seated with stylus and ink, multiple media laid out (cloth, bark, stone, sticks), a yantra with central koṣṭha highlighted, directional markers beginning at east, warm temple interior with lamps.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-accented yantra on cloth with ornate border, additional small panels showing bhūrja and stone inscriptions, central name compartment emphasized, directional strips starting east, rich gilding and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram sheet: clear yantra grid with central koṣṭha, arrows indicating east-first order, side illustrations of media (paṭa, bhūrja, śilā, yaṣṭikā), neat calligraphy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with scribe and materials, finely detailed birch-bark and cloth textures, a geometric yantra with central name cell, directional labels around it, elegant margins and precise linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi; verse is largely a list of सप्तमी-locatives indicating where to write/place.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (yantra/cakra writing; rakṣā rites; nāga-mantra)
FAQs
It gives the practical rule for mantra/yantra practice: the sādhya’s name should be inscribed in the central compartment of the diagram and also placed on directional strips beginning from the east, using approved writing media like cloth, birch-bark, stone, wood, or sticks.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technology—materials, layout, and directional protocol for inscriptions—showing its coverage of tantric and procedural know-how alongside other sciences.
Correct placement and medium are treated as essential for ritual efficacy (siddhi) and for avoiding errors (doṣa); following the prescribed order (east-first, central placement) aligns the act with sacred directionality and intended purification/attainment.