Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
शिखावीजं समुद्धृत्य फट्कारान्तन्तु चैव फट् अर्धचन्द्रासनं ज्ञेयं कामदेवं ससर्पकम्
śikhāvījaṃ samuddhṛtya phaṭkārāntantu caiva phaṭ ardhacandrāsanaṃ jñeyaṃ kāmadevaṃ sasarpakam
শিখা-বীজ উদ্ধৃত কৰি শেষত ‘ফট্’ ফটকাৰ যোগ কৰিব লাগে—অর্থাৎ ‘ফট্’। ইয়াক কামদেৱ-সম্পৰ্কিত, সৰ্পসহ ‘অৰ্ধচন্দ্ৰাসন’ বুলি জানিব লাগে।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual/tantric prayoga sections of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Perform a specific mudrā/āsana-formation and mantra-closure: take the Śikhā-bīja and append ‘phaṭ’ for protective/activating effect, identifying the configuration as Ardhacandra-āsana linked with Kāmadeva and a serpent motif.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śikhā-bīja with phaṭ: Ardhacandra-āsana of Kāmadeva with serpent element","lookup_keywords":["śikhā-bīja","phaṭ","ardhacandra-āsana","kāmadeva","sarpa"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes extracting/uttering the śikhā-bīja and sealing it with ‘phaṭ’, defining the resulting prayoga as an ardhacandra-āsana associated with Kāmadeva and a serpent component."}
Concept: Bīja + astra-syllable (phaṭ) transforms a seed into an operative force; form (āsana/mudrā) and sound (mantra) are inseparable in tantric efficacy.
Application: In japa/nyāsa and ritual visualization, append phaṭ to ‘activate/seal’ the bīja and stabilize the intended deity-form and protective boundary.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi & Tantra (Mudra-Mantra Prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual practitioner forming an ardhacandra (half-moon) seat/gesture, with the śikhā-bīja written above and ‘phaṭ’ as a sealing syllable; Kāmadeva’s emblematic presence with a coiled serpent motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated sādhaka before a yantra, half-moon motif beneath, Kāmadeva icon faintly behind, a stylized serpent coil at the base, bold lines and temple pigments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Kāmadeva with ornate jewelry, half-moon seat highlighted with gold, serpent motif curling near the pedestal, Sanskrit bīja and ‘phaṭ’ in decorative cartouche.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of the ardhacandra-āsana and where ‘phaṭ’ is appended, small inset of Kāmadeva and serpent symbol, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a yogin in a pavilion performing a ritual gesture, calligraphed bīja and ‘phaṭ’ on a scroll, delicate serpent motif near the cushion, subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Raga Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: फट्कारान्तम् + तु → फट्कारान्तन्तु (म्+त्); च + एव → चैव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (bīja/akṣara-lakṣaṇa and prāsāda-mantra sequence)
FAQs
It gives a specific mantra-construction rule: take the Śikhā-bīja and terminate it with the ‘phaṭ’ syllable, identifying the resulting prayoga with the Ardhacandra-āsana linked to Kāmadeva and a serpent-associated adjunct.
Beyond narrative theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical ritual technology—bīja usage, phaṭkāra endings, and named āsana/mudrā identifications—functioning like a compact manual of tantric-pūjā procedure.
In tantric-pūjā contexts, correct bīja formation and ‘phaṭ’ application are taught as means to direct shakti effectively—typically for protection/repulsion and controlled attraction (Kāmadeva)—thereby purifying the rite and ensuring intended ritual fruit (siddhi) without ritual fault.