Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 46
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
ब्रह्मेन्द्रेशानयोर्मध्ये अस्त्रावरणकं वहिः ऐरावतस्ततश्छागो महिषो वानरो झषः
brahmendreśānayormadhye astrāvaraṇakaṃ vahiḥ airāvatastataśchāgo mahiṣo vānaro jhaṣaḥ
Zwischen den Standorten von Brahmā, Indra und Īśāna soll der waffenschützende Umkreis (astra-āvaraṇaka) eingerichtet werden; außerhalb davon werden Airāvata, dann die Ziege, der Büffel, der Affe und der Fisch gesetzt.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Constructing an astra-āvaraṇa (weapon-protective enclosure) within a ritual/strategic layout, with specified placements of symbolic mounts/animals on the outer circuit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-āvaraṇa placement between Brahmā–Indra–Īśāna; outer animal stations","lookup_keywords":["astra-āvaraṇa","Brahmā Indra Īśāna","Airāvata","āvaraṇa","deployment-schema"],"quick_summary":"Defines where to situate the protective weapon-enclosure relative to key deities and lists the outer placements (Airāvata, goat, buffalo, monkey, fish) as part of the guarding circuit."}
Weapon Type: Astra (general class of divine/projectile weapons)
Concept: Power is stabilized by boundaries: an empowered center requires an ordered protective enclosure (āvaraṇa).
Application: Before invoking/handling astras, establish the āvaraṇa and outer guardians to prevent leakage of force and avert obstacles.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Astra-vidhi (Weapon-science: protective circuits and deployment schema)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A concentric protective circuit: an inner zone defined between Brahmā, Indra, and Īśāna; an outer ring showing Airāvata followed by goat, buffalo, monkey, and fish as stationed guardians.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a yantra-like battlefield-ritual diagram: central triad Brahmā-Indra-Īśāna; glowing astra-āvaraṇa ring; outer ring with Airāvata elephant, goat, buffalo, monkey, fish; bold outlines and traditional floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore gold-work depiction of Indra with Airāvata near a radiant circular āvaraṇa; small embossed animal guardians on the perimeter; jewel-toned background, ornate arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional illustration: labeled concentric circles; inner triangle marked Brahmā/Indra/Īśāna; outer placements with neatly drawn animal icons in sequence; soft washes and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature showing a commander-priest drawing a protective circle on the ground; attendants hold banners with animal emblems (elephant, goat, buffalo, monkey, fish); fine detailing, architectural terrace setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hindol","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: brahmendreśānayor→brahma+indra+īśānayoḥ (compound chain); airāvatastataśchāgo→airāvataḥ+tataḥ+chāgaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (astra-vidhi and kavaca/āvaraṇa sequences)
FAQs
It gives a Dhanurvedic placement rule for an astrāvaraṇa (weapon-protective enclosure), specifying an inner triad aligned with Brahmā–Indra–Īśāna and an outer sequence of emblematic guardians (Airāvata, goat, buffalo, monkey, fish) used in a protective formation.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical, technical schemata for warfare and protection—mapping deities and symbolic creatures onto spatial arrangements—showing how military science (Dhanurveda) is integrated with ritual cosmology.
By aligning weapon-protection with divine stations and auspicious emblems, the act is framed as dharmic, seeking both practical safety and ritually sanctioned protection, reducing harm through disciplined, consecrated deployment.