Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 40
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
प्राच्यां प्रतीच्यां च दिशि दक्षिणोत्तरतस् तथा रक्षाङ्करोतु सर्वात्मा नरसिंहः सुगर्जितः
prācyāṃ pratīcyāṃ ca diśi dakṣiṇottaratas tathā rakṣāṅkarotu sarvātmā narasiṃhaḥ sugarjitaḥ
May Narasiṃha—whose roar is auspicious and mighty, the Inner Self of all—establish protection in the eastern and western directions, and likewise from the south and from the north.
Lord Agni (narrating the protective rite/mantra to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Dik-bandhana (directional sealing) and raksha-kavaca recitation in puja to ward off seen/unseen harms from all quarters.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Narasimha Dik-Raksha (Directional Protection)","lookup_keywords":["Narasimha","dik-bandhana","raksha-mantra","prācī-pratīcī","sugharjita"],"quick_summary":"Invoke Narasiṃha as the all-pervading inner Self to establish a protective perimeter in the cardinal directions; used as a ritual safeguard before/within worship and prayoga."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic resonance in directional listing)
Concept: Sarvātmatva (the Lord as inner Self of all) as the basis of protection.
Application: During nyāsa/saṅkalpa, visualize Narasiṃha pervading the quarters; cultivate fearlessness grounded in the all-pervading Self.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Raksha-mantra (Narasimha protective invocation; Dik-bandhana theme)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper stands within a consecrated circle, visualizing Narasiṃha’s roaring presence sealing the east, west, south, and north with protective light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Narasiṃha with radiant halo and leonine face, roaring to the four directions, stylized flames and lotus motifs, priest performing dik-bandhana, earthy reds and greens, sacred geometry border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Narasiṃha central with embossed gold halo, four directional guardianship indicated by gold rays to cardinal points, devotee in añjali, rich jewel tones, ornate arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition showing the four directions labeled, Narasiṃha’s protective aura extending, clean linework, soft shading, ritual implements (kalasha, lamp) in foreground.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard shrine scene, Narasiṃha as a luminous apparition roaring, attendants and priest, compass-like layout marking directions, fine floral margins and delicate architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रक्षाङ्करोतु = रक्षाम् + करोतु (म् + क → ङ्क). दक्षिणोत्तरतस् = दक्षिण-उत्तर-तः (द्वन्द्व + तः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (Rakṣā-mantra / Puja-vidhi context)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga (protective application) focused on dik-rakṣā—invoking Narasiṃha to establish protection in the cardinal directions (east, west, south, north) as part of ritual safeguarding.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—directional warding, mantra-based protection, and structured invocations—showing it functions as a manual of ritual procedures in addition to narrative and doctrine.
Invoking Narasiṃha as sarvātmā frames protection as alignment with the indwelling divine presence; it is traditionally held to remove fear, avert obstacles, and purify the practitioner’s environment through devotional remembrance.