Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Chapter 225 — राजधर्माः
The Duties of Kings): Daiva and Pौरुष (Effort), Upāyas of Statecraft, and Daṇḍa (Punitive Authority
उत्साहमन्त्रशक्त्याद्यै रक्षेद्यस्माद्धरिस्ततः
utsāhamantraśaktyādyai rakṣedyasmāddharistataḥ
উৎসাহ, মন্ত্র ও শক্তি প্রভৃতির দ্বারা যেহেতু সাধক রক্ষিত হয়, তাই হরি (বিষ্ণু) ‘রক্ষক’ নামে স্মৃত।
Lord Agni (teaching protective doctrine within raksha/kalpa material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Protective discipline: combine utsāha (resolve), mantra-japa, and śakti (spiritual/ritual power) for rakṣā; invoke Hari as the safeguarding principle.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Hari as Rakṣaka through Utsāha-Mantra-Śakti","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā","utsāha","mantra-śakti","Hari","rakṣa-kalpa"],"quick_summary":"Protection is framed as arising from disciplined zeal, mantra practice, and empowered capacity; Hari is identified as the archetypal Protector."}
Concept: Rakṣā is not passive: it is cultivated through inner resolve, mantra discipline, and empowered practice; divinity is realized as protective function.
Application: Maintain daily japa with clear sankalpa, ethical conduct, and steady courage; use protective rites with focus and restraint.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Raksha-kalpa (Protective rites, mantra-power, spiritual fortification)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in japa posture within a protective circle, radiating energy; behind, Hari stands with conch and discus, extending abhaya (fearlessness).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu/Hari with śaṅkha-cakra, large expressive eyes, sādhaka in foreground with japa-mālā, protective mandala ring, saturated colors and bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Hari as protector with gold halo and embossed ornaments, sādhaka below with mala, gold-worked protective circle and lotus motifs, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: seated practitioner, mantra scroll, subtle aura lines indicating śakti, Hari in the background granting abhaya, fine lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a garden pavilion doing japa, luminous protective circle, Viṣṇu appearing as a divine vision with delicate detailing, restrained palette and intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaktyādyai → śakti-ādyaiḥ; rakṣedyasmād → rakṣet + yasmāt; haristataḥ → hariḥ + tataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on Rakṣā-kalpa and mantra-vidyā (general)
FAQs
It states a rakṣā-principle: protection is effected through utsāha (disciplined resolve), mantra (properly applied sacred formula), and śakti (spiritual potency), establishing these as operative means of ritual safeguarding.
It compresses a practical doctrine of protection—linking psychology (utsāha), liturgy (mantra), and metaphysical efficacy (śakti)—showing how the Agni Purana systematizes ritual technology alongside theology.
By grounding protection in disciplined resolve and sanctified mantra-power, the verse frames safeguarding as dharmic alignment with Hari’s protective presence, reinforcing faith and purity of practice as karmically stabilizing forces.