Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 2
Pañcāṅga-Rudra-vidhāna
The Fivefold Rudra Rite
शिखाभ्यः सम्भृतं सूक्तमाशुः कवचमेव च शतरुद्रियमस्त्रञ्च रुद्रस्याङ्गानि पञ्च हि
śikhābhyaḥ sambhṛtaṃ sūktamāśuḥ kavacameva ca śatarudriyamastrañca rudrasyāṅgāni pañca hi
শিখা (শীর্ষ-চূড়া) থেকে ‘আশু’ নামে সূক্ত সংগৃহীত হয়; তদ্রূপ ‘কবচ’ এবং ‘শতরুদ্রিয়’ ‘অস্ত্র’ রূপে—এগুলিই রুদ্রের পাঁচ অঙ্গ।
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rudra-kavaca/pañcāṅga-mantra framework for protection (rakṣā), nyāsa, and ritual deployment of sukta–kavaca–astra components.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra-pañcāṅga (Five limbs of Rudra-mantra practice)","lookup_keywords":["Rudra pañcāṅga","kavaca","Śatarudrīya astra","Āśu sūkta","śikhā mantra"],"quick_summary":"Defines a five-limbed Rudra-mantra structure where specific hymns/functions are assigned as protective ‘limbs’ (aṅgas), including kavaca and astra usage anchored in Śatarudrīya."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric weapon)
Concept: Mantra-body (aṅga) model: hymns and ritual functions constitute an integrated protective organism around Rudra.
Application: Use pañcāṅga mapping to perform nyāsa, kavaca-recitation, and astra-prayoga in daily or occasional protection rites.
Khanda Section: Rudra-mantra-kavaca and protective rites (Shaiva ritual / Mantra-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Shaiva adept with topknot (śikhā) performs protective nyāsa, invoking Rudra; a luminous kavaca aura forms while Śatarudrīya is visualized as a blazing astra encircling the practitioner.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Shaiva priest with śikhā and rudrākṣa, performing nyāsa mudrās, Rudra’s fiery halo behind, concentric protective mandala rings labeled kavaca and astra, earthy reds and ochres, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Rudra/Śiva blessing, gold-leaf prabhāmaṇḍala, devotee below performing nyāsa, stylized protective shield motif (kavaca) and radiant weapon-flame (astra) around, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: five labeled aṅgas around a seated Rudra icon, priest demonstrating śikhā-touch and nyāsa points, clean linework, soft shading, didactic captions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly atelier depiction of a yogin-priest reciting from a manuscript, subtle flames forming a circular astra, detailed textiles, fine borders, restrained palette with gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairava","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूक्तमाशुः = सूक्तम् + आशुः; शतरुद्रियमस्त्रञ्च = शतरुद्रियम् + अस्त्रम् + च; रुद्रस्याङ्गानि = रुद्रस्य + अङ्गानि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 295 (Rudra-mantra-kavaca/nyāsa context)
FAQs
It classifies Rudra-protection practice into a structured five-part system (Rudra-aṅgas), naming key components such as a sūkta (hymn), a kavaca (armor-mantra), and the Śatarudrīya used as an astra (projected protective mantra).
It preserves a technical taxonomy of mantra-ritual elements—treating Vedic material (Śatarudrīya) alongside later protective technologies (kavaca/astra)—showing how the Agni Purāṇa compiles and systematizes diverse ritual sciences.
By organizing Rudra’s protective limbs, the verse points to disciplined recitation and application of mantras for purification, warding off obstacles, and securing Rudra’s grace through correctly structured worship.