Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 6
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
घातयेति द्विधाकृत्य हूंफडन्तं समुच्चरेत् अघोरास्त्रन्तु नेत्रं स्याद् गायत्री चोच्यते ऽधुना
ghātayeti dvidhākṛtya hūṃphaḍantaṃ samuccaret aghorāstrantu netraṃ syād gāyatrī cocyate 'dhunā
Indem man die Äußerung «ghātaya» in zwei Teile teilt, soll man sie rezitieren und mit «hūṃ phaṭ» enden lassen. Dies ist das Aghorāstra; es wirkt als «netra» (Auge/überwachendes Schutzmantra). Nun wird auch die Gāyatrī dargelegt.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual/mantra procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instruction style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective astra-mantra prayoga: split ‘ghātaya’ into two, append ‘hūṃ phaṭ’, apply as Aghorāstra functioning as netra-mantra (protective overseer), then proceed to Gāyatrī recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Aghorāstra (Ghātaya… Hūṃ Phaṭ) as Netra-mantra; transition to Gāyatrī","lookup_keywords":["aghora-astra","ghātaya","hūṃ phaṭ","netra-mantra","gāyatrī"],"quick_summary":"Recite the twofold ‘ghātaya’ ending with hūṃ phaṭ as the Aghorāstra for protective ‘netra’ coverage; thereafter the text introduces/continues with Gāyatrī for further sanctification."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Rakṣā through mantra-astra: sacred sound functions as a protective instrument; ‘netra’ signifies vigilant oversight and sealing of perception-gates.
Application: Use the astra-mantra to ‘seal’ the ritual field (around self, altar, directions) before subtler japa; follow with Gāyatrī to stabilize sattva and clarity.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi & Tantra (Protective rites; Astra-mantra prayoga)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner forcefully utters ‘ghātaya… hūṃ phaṭ’ as a fiery mantra-weapon shoots outward, forming a protective eye-like aura (netra) around the ritual space; then the mood softens into Gāyatrī recitation with a solar glow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic flames and a stylized protective eye mandala around the altar, priest in strong stance chanting ‘hūṃ phaṭ’, Aghora presence hinted with rudrākṣa and trident motifs, then a sun-disc for Gāyatrī","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed protective eye halo encircling the scene, fiery astra streaks, priest with raised hand in rakṣā mudrā, mantra band ‘hūṃ phaṭ’ highlighted, followed by radiant Gāyatrī sun motif","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of sealing directions with astra-mantra (arrows to four quarters), netra symbol at center, then a second panel with calm Gāyatrī recitation and sun rays; fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic yet refined: a yogin in a courtyard, calligraphic ‘hūṃ phaṭ’ as flame-like strokes forming a protective circle with an eye emblem, attendants at distance, then a luminous sun medallion indicating Gāyatrī"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"commanding","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विधाकृत्य = द्विधा + कृत्वा; अघोरास्त्रन्तु = अघोरास्त्रम् + तु; चोच्यते = च + उच्यते; ऽधुना = अधुना (अवग्रहः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.4; Agni Purana 317.5; Agni Purana Gāyatrī-prakaraṇa immediately following (as indicated)
FAQs
It teaches the precise recitation method for the Aghorāstra: split the command-mantra “ghātaya” and conclude it with the astric syllables “hūṃ phaṭ,” identifying it as a protective ‘netra’ mantra.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—how specific weapon-mantras (astra) are formed, terminated (with phaṭ), and assigned functions (netra/guarding)—showing the Purana’s manual-like coverage of applied mantra-śāstra.
As a netra/guarding astra, it is intended to ward off harmful influences and secure ritual space; correctly applied, such protective mantras are traditionally held to remove obstacles and prevent inauspicious effects during rites.