Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 16
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
भयावहञ्च भद्रञ्च भगणं भयसूदनम् द्वादशैते दशपङ्क्तौ देवत्रासञ्च पश्चिमे
bhayāvahañca bhadrañca bhagaṇaṃ bhayasūdanam dvādaśaite daśapaṅktau devatrāsañca paścime
‘ভয়াবহ’ ও ‘ভদ্র’, ‘ভগণ’ ও ‘ভয়সূদন’—এই বারোটি নাম দশের সারিতে বিন্যস্ত করতে হবে; আর ‘দেবত্রাস’ নামটি পশ্চিম দিকে স্থাপন করতে হবে।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rakṣā-vidhi using a structured name-list (nāma-gaṇa) of Gaṇapati: arranging protective epithets in specified rows and directional placement (west) for warding fear and divine/hostile disturbances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gaṇapati rakṣā-nāma-vyūha: Bhayāvaha–Bhayasūdana; Devatrāsa in the west","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā-vidhi","nāma-gaṇa","Bhayasūdana","Devatrāsa","paścima-sthāna"],"quick_summary":"Deploy Gaṇapati’s protective names in a prescribed arrangement; place ‘Devatrāsa’ on the western side to complete the directional guard against fear and disturbances."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-mālā (enumerative epithet-list)
Concept: Protective efficacy is systematized through nāma and dik-vinyāsa: sacred sound mapped onto space to create a psychological and ritual ‘shield’.
Application: Use the name-array as a boundary-setting practice (dik-bandha) before rites, travel, or entering contested spaces; emphasize west placement as instructed.
Khanda Section: Mantra-nama-gana (Protective Name-Lists / Raksha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective grid or ring of Gaṇapati names arranged in rows around a ritual space; the western segment clearly marked with ‘Devatrāsa’, forming a directional shield against fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritual enclosure with directional markers, name-bands encircling the space, west side highlighted with ‘Devatrāsa’, priest drawing/placing syllables, dramatic protective mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: decorative protective yantra-like panel with gold-lettered names, compass directions, west quadrant emphasized, central auspicious motif, rich reds and gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram—rectangular or circular layout with rows of names, arrows for west placement, clean Devanāgarī labels, minimal ornament for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor ritual scene with a parchment/cloth showing arranged names, a compass-like directional frame, west side annotated, attendants watching, fine calligraphy and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भयावहञ्च = भयावहम् च; भद्रञ्च = भद्रम् च; द्वादशैते = द्वादश एते; देवत्रासञ्च = देवत्रासम् च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317 (rakṣā and name-arrangement within Ganapati rites)
FAQs
It gives a precise ritual-technical instruction for arranging specific sacred names in a structured grid/row (daśa-paṅkti) and placing one name (‘Devatrāsa’) specifically in the western direction—typical of rakṣā (protective) mantra/nyāsa or yantra-style procedures.
Beyond mythology, it preserves procedural details—name-lists, counting/placement rules, and direction-based ritual geometry—showing the Agni Purana’s handbook-like coverage of applied liturgy alongside theology.
Such ordered placement of fear-dispelling names is intended to create ritual protection (rakṣā), mitigate भय (fear) and inauspicious influences, and establish auspiciousness (bhadra) through correctly performed directional and numerical observances.