Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
मन्त्रा ईशानमुख्याश् च धर्मकामादिदायकाः ईशानः सर्वविद्यानामीश्वरःसर्वभूतानां
mantrā īśānamukhyāś ca dharmakāmādidāyakāḥ īśānaḥ sarvavidyānāmīśvaraḥsarvabhūtānāṃ
এই মন্ত্ৰসমূহ—যাৰ ভিতৰত ঈশানৰ মন্ত্ৰ মুখ্য—ধৰ্ম, কাম আদি ফল দান কৰে। ঈশান সকলো বিদ্যাৰ ঈশ্বৰ আৰু সকলো ভূতৰ অধিপতি।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Frames Īśāna as the supreme lord of vidyās and beings; motivates mantra-upāsanā for attaining puruṣārthas (dharma, kāma, etc.).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Īśāna as Sarvavidyānām Īśvara and Puruṣārtha-dātā","lookup_keywords":["Īśāna","sarvavidyā","puruṣārtha","dharma kāma","īśvara"],"quick_summary":"Declares Īśāna’s mantras as puruṣārtha-bestowing and identifies Īśāna as lord of all knowledge and all beings—grounding mantra practice in a theistic metaphysics."}
Concept: Īśāna/Śiva as the sovereign ground of knowledge (vidyā) and lordship over beings; mantras as means to puruṣārthas.
Application: Orients practitioners to treat mantra as a disciplined approach under divine lordship, aligning desires with dharma.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Ishana-mantras and deity-epithets)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene depiction of Īśāna as the presiding lord of knowledge, with sages holding manuscripts and students receiving mantra instruction; symbols of dharma and kāma shown as balanced aims.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Īśāna/Śiva in calm aspect with subtle third eye; surrounding rishis with palm-leaf manuscripts; four puruṣārtha emblems arranged harmoniously; temple-like compositional symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: enthroned Śiva as Īśāna with gold halo; attendants holding śāstra texts; small medallions for dharma and kāma; ornate arch and rich gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene—teacher-guru before a blackboard-like manuscript panel listing ‘dharma kāma’; Īśāna as blessing presence above; clean lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly assembly with manuscripts; a luminous Śiva-figure as metaphysical presence; refined architectural backdrop; calligraphy cartouche with ‘sarvavidyānām īśvaraḥ’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रा = मन्त्राः. ईशानमुख्याश् = ईशानमुख्याः. सर्वविद्यानामीश्वरःसर्वभूतानां = सर्वविद्यानाम् + ईश्वरः + सर्वभूतानाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (īśāna-mantra section)
FAQs
It states the phala (ritual fruit) of Īśāna-centered mantras: they grant dharma, kāma, and related attainments, and it identifies Īśāna as the presiding lord over all vidyās—supporting mantra-japa and deity-oriented upāsanā.
By mapping mantra practice to concrete life-goals (puruṣārtha-oriented results) and by presenting a theological classification—Īśāna as lord of all knowledge—this verse integrates ritual science (mantra-vidhi), ethics (dharma), and worldly aims (kāma) in a compact doctrinal summary typical of the Agni Purana’s broad scope.
It frames Īśāna-mantras as merit-producing and life-ordering: practiced correctly, they are said to align one’s karmic trajectory toward dharma while also enabling legitimate worldly fulfillment (kāma), under the sovereignty of Īśāna as the inner ruler of beings.