Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 18
Chapter 300 — सूर्यार्चनम्
Worship of Sūrya
ताम्बूलादाविदं न्यस्य जप्त्वा दद्यादुशीरकं न्यस्तुवीजेन हस्तेन स्पर्शनं तद्वशे स्मृतं
tāmbūlādāvidaṃ nyasya japtvā dadyāduśīrakaṃ nyastuvījena hastena sparśanaṃ tadvaśe smṛtaṃ
তাম্বূল প্রভৃতিতে প্রথমে এই মন্ত্র ন্যাস করে জপ করবে, তারপর উশীরক (খস) দেবে। যে হাতে বীজমন্ত্র ন্যস্ত, সেই হাতে স্পর্শ করাকে তাকে বশে আনার উপায় বলা হয়েছে।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual applications)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Vāśīkaraṇa/ākarṣaṇa prayoga using mantra-nyāsa on tāmbūla and tactile transmission via bīja-installed hand, combined with giving uśīra (vetiver) as a medium.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tāmbūla-nyāsa and uśīra-dāna for vāśīkaraṇa (influence)","lookup_keywords":["vashikarana","akarshana","tambula","ushira","bija-nyasa"],"quick_summary":"Install the mantra on betel-leaf, recite, give vetiver to the target, and touch with the bīja-installed hand—this is stated to produce influence/attraction."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Mantra as ‘installed power’ transferable through mediums (tāmbūla, touch) when joined with bīja-nyāsa and saṅkalpa.
Application: Maintain ritual purity and consistent bīja-nyāsa; treat substances as upacāra/vehicles for intention in prayoga frameworks.
Khanda Section: Tantra-Mantra Prayoga (Vashikarana / Akarshana rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka inscribes/installs mantra on betel leaf, recites, offers vetiver to a person, then lightly touches them with the bīja-installed hand to effect vāśīkaraṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, shrine-side scene with tāmbūla on a leaf plate, vetiver bundle, sādhaka’s hand in a clear mudrā touching the recipient’s shoulder, warm earthy palette and stylized flora.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate tray with betel leaf and gold accents, vetiver rendered with textured strokes, central gesture of touch highlighted with a gold aura around the hand.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise depiction of ritual steps and objects (tāmbūla, uśīra, mālā), minimal background, emphasis on hand position indicating bīja-nyāsa.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtly exchange—offering scented vetiver and betel, subtle touch gesture, detailed textiles and botanical border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tāmbūlādāvidaṃ = tāmbūla-ādau idam; dadyāduśīrakaṃ = dadyāt uśīrakam; nyastuvījena = nyasta-uvījena (reading uncertain); tadvaśe = tad-vaśe
Related Themes: Agni Purana 300 (tantra-mantra prayogas around influence/subjugation); Agni Purana mantra-nyāsa and bīja usage in adjacent ritual instructions
FAQs
It teaches a vashīkaraṇa-style procedure: perform nyāsa of the mantra on betel (tāmbūla), japa it, offer uśīraka (vetiver), and then effect influence by touching with a hand empowered through bīja-mantra nyāsa.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s pragmatic cataloging of applied knowledge—combining mantra-technology (bīja, nyāsa, japa) with material culture (betel) and herbal substances (vetiver), showing how ritual, medicine-like materia, and occult practice are integrated.
The verse frames efficacy as arising from mantra-discipline (japa) and correct installation (nyāsa); spiritually, it implies that ritual power is conditioned by precise method—though such control-oriented rites are traditionally advised to be undertaken with restraint and ethical caution.