Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 21
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
स्थावरत्वं पुरा होमं सरीसृपमतः परं पक्षिमृगपशुत्वञ्च मानुषं ब्राह्ममेव च
sthāvaratvaṃ purā homaṃ sarīsṛpamataḥ paraṃ pakṣimṛgapaśutvañca mānuṣaṃ brāhmameva ca
প্রথমে স্থাবরত্ব (অচল/উদ্ভিদাদি অবস্থা); তারপর সরীসৃপত্ব। এরপর পক্ষিত্ব, মৃগত্ব ও পশুত্ব; তারপর মানবত্ব; এবং শেষে ব্রাহ্ম পদ (সর্বোচ্চ অবস্থা)।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"A compact taxonomy of rebirth states used for ethical instruction: actions condition ascent from immobile to human and beyond, motivating dharmic conduct and sādhanā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rebirth Ladder: Sthāvara → Sarīsṛpa → Pakṣi/Mṛga/Paśu → Mānuṣa → Brāhma","lookup_keywords":["sthāvara","sarīsṛpa","pakṣi","mānuṣa-janma","brāhma-gati"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists a graded sequence of embodied states culminating in the highest ‘brāhma’ condition, framing saṃsāra as an ordered ascent shaped by karma."}
Concept: Embodiment is a karmically ordered continuum; human birth is a pivotal station enabling liberation-oriented pursuit culminating in brahma-bhāva/gati.
Application: Use the rarity/value of mānuṣa-janma as motivation for dharma, restraint, and sādhanā rather than sense-driven living.
Khanda Section: Karma-vipaka & Samsara (Rebirth taxonomy; encyclopedic dharma teaching)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vertical ‘ladder’ of births: plant/tree (sthāvara), serpent (sarīsṛpa), bird, wild animal, cattle, human, and a radiant sage-like ‘brāhma’ state at the top.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stacked narrative panels showing each yoni in sequence, culminating in luminous brahma-like sage form, earthy palette, bold outlines, temple mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, tiered composition with gold accents on the final brāhma state, each birth-form rendered iconically, ornate borders, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic chart-like scene with clear separation of categories (sthāvara, sarīsṛpa, pakṣi, mṛga, paśu, mānuṣa, brāhma), soft colors and fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic flora and fauna in successive bands, human figure in scholarly attire, final radiant ascetic, intricate landscape detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पक्षिमृगपशुत्वञ्च→पक्षिमृगपशुत्वम्+च; ब्राह्ममेव→ब्राह्मम्+एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana (karma-vipāka and saṃsāra discussions in adjacent sections)
FAQs
It outlines a graded taxonomy of embodiments (yoni-bheda)—from immobile life through reptiles, birds/animals/cattle, up to human and the highest ‘brāhma’ condition—used in karma-vipāka teaching to map karmic outcomes.
By cataloging rebirth categories in a systematic sequence, it functions like a doctrinal index of samsāra—one of the Purana’s many ‘handbook’ style lists alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and aesthetics.
It conveys that actions shape the level of embodiment: lower, constrained forms are earlier/less capable states, while human birth and the ‘brāhma’ state represent progressively greater capacity for dharma, knowledge, and liberation-oriented practice.