Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 29
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
ग्रहान् प्रेतग्रहांश्चापि तथा वै डाकिनीग्रहान् वेतालांश् च पिशाचांश् च गन्धर्वान् यक्षराक्षसान्
grahān pretagrahāṃścāpi tathā vai ḍākinīgrahān vetālāṃś ca piśācāṃś ca gandharvān yakṣarākṣasān
([This rite/recitation wards off]) grahas (seizing afflictions), as well as preta-grahas (spirit-possessions by the departed), and indeed ḍākinī-grahas; and also vetālas, piśācas, gandharvas, yakṣas, and rākṣasas.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bhūta-preta-graha-śānti recitation/rite for warding off possession-like afflictions, nightmares, sudden seizures, and fear states; used in household protection and temple-based śānti-karmas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Afflictive beings targeted in Graha-śānti: Preta, Ḍākinī, Vetāla, Piśāca, etc.","lookup_keywords":["graha-śānti","preta-graha","ḍākinī","vetāla","piśāca"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates classes of seizing/afflictive entities that a protective rite aims to repel, functioning as a checklist for comprehensive spiritual safeguarding."}
Concept: Community/household protection as a dharmic duty; ritual order imposed upon perceived chaos (graha/bhūta taxonomy).
Application: Perform śānti-karmas (japa, homa, bali where appropriate) to restore social and mental equilibrium, especially during liminal times (night, illness, postpartum, travel).
Khanda Section: Bhuta-Preta-Graha-Shanti (Protective rites against afflictive spirits and seizures)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective rite encircles a household/temple space; shadowy figures labeled as graha, preta, ḍākinī, vetāla, piśāca, gandharva, yakṣa, rākṣasa are driven back by mantra-light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual circle with lamps, priest chanting, fierce protective light pushing back stylized dark spirits (vetāla/piśāca forms), dramatic contrast, temple ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central protective deity-symbol (lamp/mandala) with gold ornamentation, spirits at the margins recoiling, auspicious borders, emphasis on śānti and protection","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, orderly depiction of the listed beings as small labeled vignettes around a chanting practitioner, clear didactic arrangement, soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-time courtyard with lamps, exorcistic recitation scene, spirits rendered as faint translucent figures at edges, fine architectural detail and controlled drama"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective-ritual","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pretagrahāṃścāpi = preta-grahān + ca + api; yakṣarākṣasān treated as dvandva; vetālāṃś ca = vetālān + ca (anusvāra/ś sandhi in recitation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (bhūta-preta-graha-śānti context); Agni Purana materials on rakṣā, bali, and śānti rites (general)
FAQs
It enumerates the classes of afflictive beings/forces (graha, preta-graha, ḍākinī-graha, vetāla, piśāca, etc.) that a protective rite or mantra in this chapter is intended to pacify and drive away.
By cataloging spirit-affliction categories and their ritual management, it preserves Bhūta-vidyā–style knowledge (protective and pacificatory practice) alongside other disciplines, showing the Purāṇa’s wide technical scope.
It frames the practice as a means of purification and protection—removing obstructive, harmful influences so that dharma, health, and auspiciousness can be restored and maintained.