Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
Aghīrāstra-ādi-Śānti-kalpaḥ
Rite for Pacification of Aghora-Astra and Other Weapons
ग्रहरोगादिशमनीं मारीशत्रुविमर्दनीं विनायकोपतप्तिघ्नमघोरास्त्रं जपेन्नरः
graharogādiśamanīṃ mārīśatruvimardanīṃ vināyakopataptighnamaghorāstraṃ japennaraḥ
Der Mensch soll die Aghora-Astra-Mantra im Japa wiederholen: Sie besänftigt Leiden wie planetare Störungen (Graha) und Krankheiten, zermalmt Feinde wie Māri und vernichtet die Qual, die aus dem Missfallen Vināyakas (Gaṇeśas) entsteht.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Japa of the Aghora-Astra mantra for protection: mitigating graha-related afflictions, disease-like troubles, hostile forces, and obstacle/anger of Vināyaka.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Aghora-Astra Japa for Graha-roga-śamana and Rakṣā","lookup_keywords":["Aghora-astra","japa","graha-roga","Vināyaka-upatāpa","rakṣā-kalpa"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes repetition of the Aghora-Astra as a protective formula to pacify planetary/disease afflictions, subdue hostile entities, and remove Vināyaka-caused torment (obstacles)."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric weapon: ‘Aghora-Astra’)
Concept: Mantra as rakṣā (protective technology): sound-form (śabda) deployed to pacify affliction and neutralize obstacles/enmity.
Application: Daily or crisis-time japa with purity rules (ācāra), sankalpa for śānti, and follow-up offerings if prescribed by one’s tradition.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Shastra & Raksha-Kalpa (Protective rites; Graha-shanti and obstacle-removal)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated before a small fire or lamp, counting a rudrākṣa mālā, invoking the Aghora-Astra; behind him symbolic threats—planetary glyphs, a looming Māri-like hostile figure, and a Vināyaka-obstacle motif—are shown dissolving.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines: sādhaka in meditation with mālā, subtle Śaiva-Aghora aura, planetary symbols above, dark hostile figure fading, Vināyaka obstacle motif breaking, sacred lamp and minimal altar elements.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold halo: sādhaka with mālā, radiant protective aura, stylized navagraha emblems, enemies subdued at the margins, ornate frame, devotional yet protective theme.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: sādhaka posture, mālā, japa count beads, small altar, annotated symbols for graha-roga and vināyaka-upatāpa being removed, gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: interior chamber with prayer niche, sādhaka chanting with beads, attendants watching, symbolic planetary chart on a cloth, hostile figure outside the doorway repelled by luminous aura, fine textile and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vināyakopataptighnamaghorāstraṃ → vināyaka-upatapti-ghnam aghora-astram; japennaraḥ → japet naraḥ (t + n sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 320 (Rakṣā-kalpa and graha-śānti mantras)
FAQs
It prescribes japa of the Aghora-Astra mantra as a practical protective rite to pacify graha-related afflictions and illnesses, and to neutralize obstacle-causing distress linked to Vināyaka-doṣa.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogues applied disciplines like mantra-vidyā and remedial rites—here giving a concise, use-oriented instruction for protection, disease/affliction management, and graha-śānti.
The verse frames mantra-japa as a dharmic remedy that reduces unseen afflictions (graha-doṣa, obstacle-forces), restoring auspiciousness and mitigating suffering through disciplined recitation and protective spiritual power.