Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 30
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
नीलोत्पलदलश्याम कृष्ण दुःस्वप्ननाशन असिर्विशसनः खड्गस्तीक्ष्णधारो दुरासदः
nīlotpaladalaśyāma kṛṣṇa duḥsvapnanāśana asirviśasanaḥ khaḍgastīkṣṇadhāro durāsadaḥ
নীল পদ্মপত্রের ন্যায় শ্যাম, কৃষ্ণ; দুঃস্বপ্ননাশক; ছেদনকারী অসি, সংহারক খড়্গ—তীক্ষ্ণধার ও অপ্রাপ্য-দুর্জয়।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective recitation (rakṣā-kavaca) using weapon-names and epithets to avert nightmares, fear, and hostile forces; used before travel, battle, or sleep.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Khāḍga/Nistriṁśa Rakṣā-nāma (Epithets: Nīlotpalaśyāma etc.)","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā-kavaca","khadga","duḥsvapna-nāśana","nīlotpala-śyāma","tīkṣṇadhāra"],"quick_summary":"A stotra-like string of protective epithets identifying the sword as a divine, unassailable power; recitation is framed as apotropaic—especially for destroying duḥsvapna (evil dreams) and warding danger."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (nīlotpala-dala-śyāma) and Nāmāvalī-śailī (litany of epithets)
Weapon Type: Sword (asi/khadga/nistriṁśa)
Concept: Nāma-śakti: divine power is accessed through epithets; weapon is treated as a conscious protector (āyudha-devatā).
Application: Use disciplined recitation and visualization of the weapon’s protective form to stabilize mind (fear/dreams) and secure safety.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya / Raksha-kavacha (Protective epithets and weapon-names used in stotra-style recitation)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine sword-personification: a dark-blue, lotus-petal-hued radiance surrounding a sharp, gleaming blade that dispels ominous dream-figures and hostile spirits.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep indigo-black śyāma aura, personified khadga with fiery tejas, subdued duḥsvapna-demons dissolving, bold outlines, flat yet luminous colors, sacred protective mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ornate sword-deity with gold foil halo, nīlotpala-blue complexion motif in background, sharp-edged khadga highlighted with gold work, small fleeing nightmare-figures at the base.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, instructional panel showing the sword with labeled epithets (nīlotpala-śyāma, duḥsvapna-nāśana, tīkṣṇadhāra), calm protective composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed steel blade with jeweled hilt, night scene with dream-clouds dispersing, subtle chiaroscuro, calligraphic cartouches bearing the epithets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nīlotpaladalaśyāma = nīla+utpala+dala+śyāma (compound); duḥsvapnanāśana = duḥsvapna+nāśana; khaḍgastīkṣṇadhāraḥ = khaḍgaḥ tīkṣṇadhāraḥ (visarga sandhi: aḥ + t → a t); words are largely epithets in nominative singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 268 (rakṣā-kavaca/āyudha-nāma sections); Agni Purana mantra-vidyā and nyāsa-related passages nearby
FAQs
It conveys rakṣā-mantra usage through a name-litany: reciting these epithets (color-form and weapon-aspects) functions as a protective kavacha, specifically including a duḥsvapna-nāśana (bad-dream-destroying) designation.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical mantra-technology—protective naming formulas and martial symbolism (asi/khaḍga, sharp edge, unassailable power), showing how devotion, protection, and weapon-imagery are integrated into applied ritual speech.
Meditating on and reciting these names is framed as a purifier and protector: it wards off inauspicious dream-omens, strengthens inner fearlessness, and invokes divine, invincible power against harm.