Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 53
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
सम्मुखारद्वये पादमेकैकं क्रमशो लिखेत् नाभौ तु वर्णं दशमं नेमौ तूर्यपदन्नयेत्
sammukhāradvaye pādamekaikaṃ kramaśo likhet nābhau tu varṇaṃ daśamaṃ nemau tūryapadannayet
দুটি সম্মুখ-অর/রেখায় পাদের বর্ণগুলি ক্রমানুসারে একে একে লিখবে। নাভি (কেন্দ্র) স্থানে দশম বর্ণ স্থাপন করবে, আর নেমি (পরিধি) তে চতুর্থ পদ/সমষ্টি স্থাপন করবে।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Yantra-lekhana/nyāsa: placing syllables/letters of a pāda onto specific yantra parts (spokes, hub, rim) for ritual visualization, japa-support, and mantra-siddhi practices.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pāda-varṇa-nyāsa on spokes–navel–rim (yantra writing protocol)","lookup_keywords":["yantra-lekhana","nyasa","nabhau-dashama-varna","nemi","ara-dvaya"],"quick_summary":"Gives a placement method: write syllables sequentially on two forward spokes, place the 10th letter in the central hub, and arrange the fourth set on the rim. Used to map mantra/verse structure onto a yantra for focused practice."}
Concept: Śabda–rūpa-sāmarasya: uniting sound (akṣara) with form (yantra) through nyāsa for dhāraṇā.
Application: Use the mapping as a meditation aid: visualize the hub as bindu/center of awareness, spokes as flow of syllables, rim as completion/containment.
Khanda Section: Yantra-Mantra & Tantra (Nyāsa / Yantra-lekhana instructions)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circular yantra like a wheel: two forward spokes labeled for sequential syllable writing, a central hub holding the 10th letter, and the rim carrying the fourth segment; a practitioner inscribes it with a stylus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large wheel-yantra with bold concentric circles, two prominent forward spokes, central bindu with the 10th akṣara, rim inscribed with syllables, priest seated with stylus and lamp, deep reds and blacks, sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yantra rendered with gold-leaf geometry, central hub glowing, rim text in stylized script, priest with ritual tray, rich jewel tones, ornate arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise technical diagram of ara (spokes), nābhi (hub), nemi (rim) with labeled syllable positions, clean lines, instructional clarity, minimal ornament.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like scene of a learned practitioner drawing a wheel diagram on paper, fine calligraphy on rim, delicate shading, patterned carpet and low desk."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्मुखारद्वये = सम्मुख-अर-द्वये; पादमेकैकं = पादम् एक-एकम्; तूर्यपदन्नयेत् = तुर्य-पदम् नयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (yantra/mantra interleaving with chandas diagnostics in this khanda); Agni Purana mantra/yantra chapters elsewhere (recension-dependent)
FAQs
It teaches yantra-lekhana: the ordered inscription/placement of mantra segments (pāda/pada) and specific letters (varṇa) onto distinct parts of a wheel-like ritual diagram—spokes (ara), center (nābhi), and rim (nemi).
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical tantric-ritual technology—diagram geometry and precise letter-placement rules—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied mantra science alongside other disciplines.
Correct placement of syllables is treated as essential for mantra efficacy: it aligns sound (varṇa) with sacred spatial order (yantra), supporting focused worship, purification, and successful ritual results.