Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 2
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
विन्यस्य नारसिंहेन सम्मन्त्र्य शतवारकं सर्षपांस्तु फडन्तेन रक्षोघ्नान् सर्वतः क्षिपेत्
vinyasya nārasiṃhena sammantrya śatavārakaṃ sarṣapāṃstu phaḍantena rakṣoghnān sarvataḥ kṣipet
Having performed the protective nyāsa with the Narasiṁha mantra, and having empowered mustard seeds by reciting the mantra one hundred and eight times, one should—uttering the syllable “phaṭ”—scatter those rakṣas‑destroying seeds in all directions.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Apotropaic protection: mantra-nyāsa, mantra-charged mustard-seed scattering with phaṭ to ward off bhūta/rakṣas and purify space in all directions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Narasiṁha-nyāsa and rakṣoghna-sarṣapa-kṣepa (phaṭ)","lookup_keywords":["Narasiṁha-nyāsa","sarṣapa mustard","phaṭ-kāra","rakṣoghna","108-japa"],"quick_summary":"Perform Narasiṁha-nyāsa, empower mustard seeds with 108 recitations, then scatter them in all directions with the utterance “phaṭ” for protective expulsion of hostile forces."}
Concept: Mantra-śakti is ‘installed’ (nyāsa) and then externalized through charged substances to create a protective boundary (dik-bandha).
Application: Use nyāsa + japa + kṣepa as a repeatable protocol for space-clearing before worship, homa, installation, or travel-rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Raksha-kalpa (Protective rites and mantra-procedures)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka performs Narasiṁha-nyāsa, then scatters mantra-charged mustard seeds to the four directions while uttering “phaṭ,” forming an invisible protective circle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, sādhaka in white dhoti performing nyāsa with Narasiṁha aura behind, mustard seeds flying to four directions, subtle guardian motifs at cardinal points, flat decorative foliage borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Narasiṁha halo in embossed gold, priest scattering mustard seeds with raised hand, directional lotuses at corners, rich jewel tones, gold-work emphasizing protective radiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework showing stepwise ritual: nyāsa gestures, japa count beads, bowl of mustard seeds, then scattering with ‘phaṭ’ indicated in Devanāgarī, soft shading and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard with four directional markers, practitioner scattering seeds, attendants holding a small vessel and japa-mālā, fine architectural detailing, restrained palette with precise brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्षपांस्तु = सर्षपान् + तु; रक्षोघ्नान् = रक्षःघ्नान् (विसर्ग-लोप); शतवारकं treated as द्विगु ‘शत+वारक’ (≈शतवारम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Rakṣā-kalpa sections on nyāsa, dik-bandha, bhūta-śuddhi, phaṭ-kāra usage
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga: perform Narasiṁha-nyāsa, empower mustard seeds by 108 japa, then scatter them in all directions while uttering “phaṭ” as an apotropaic act to repel/destroy hostile beings.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical ritual technology—nyāsa, fixed japa counts (108), use of ritual substances (mustard), and specific mantra-utterances (“phaṭ”)—showing the Agni Purana’s breadth across applied liturgy and protective rites.
It is framed as a purification and safeguarding act: invoking Narasiṁha’s protective power and dispersing consecrated substances is meant to remove obstructive/inauspicious influences and secure ritual and household sanctity.