Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 2
Chapter 283 — Mantras as Medicine (मन्त्ररूपौषधकथनम्)
गायत्री परमो मन्त्रस्तं जप्त्वा भुक्तिमुक्तिभाक् ॐ नमो नारायणाय मन्त्रः सर्वार्थसाधकः
gāyatrī paramo mantrastaṃ japtvā bhuktimuktibhāk oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya mantraḥ sarvārthasādhakaḥ
The Gāyatrī is the supreme mantra; by repeating it one partakes of both worldly enjoyment and liberation. The mantra “Oṃ, salutation to Nārāyaṇa” accomplishes all aims.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Daily japa of Gayatri and Narayana-mantra for both worldly welfare (bhukti) and liberation (mukti); suitable as a compact sadhana for householders and renunciants.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gayatri as Parama-mantra; Narayana Ashtakshari as Sarvartha-sadhaka","lookup_keywords":["Gayatri","Om Namo Narayanaya","bhukti-mukti","japa","sarvartha-sadhaka"],"quick_summary":"Gayatri-japa is presented as the highest mantra yielding both enjoyment and liberation. The Narayana mantra (Om Namo Narayanaya) is taught as a universal aim-fulfiller for general sadhana."}
Concept: Mantra-japa as a direct means to both purusharthas (bhukti and mukti), with Narayana as the all-aim accomplisher.
Application: Adopt a steady japa-vrata (fixed count, purity, remembrance of meaning) using Gayatri and/or Ashtakshari according to adhikara.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Japa and Moksha-sadhana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated sadhaka performing japa with a mala; above, radiant Gayatri as a solar mantra and Narayana as the presiding deity, indicating bhukti and mukti as two fruits.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, seated rishi doing japa with rudraksha mala, luminous solar disc symbolizing Gayatri, four-armed Narayana with shankha-chakra, stylized lotuses, traditional flat shading and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Narayana with gold leaf halo and ornate jewelry, small vignette of a devotee chanting 'Om Namo Narayanaya', Gayatri as a radiant sun-mandala, heavy gold work, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, calm ashrama setting, practitioner counting mala beads, inscriptions of Gayatri and Ashtakshari in Devanagari, soft pastel palette, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet serene pavilion, ascetic seated on carpet with mala, calligraphic cartouches for the two mantras, subtle landscape, fine detailing and muted tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रस्तं → मन्त्रः तम् (विसर्ग-सन्धि); भुक्तिमुक्तिभाक् = भुक्ति-मुक्ति-भाक्; सर्वार्थसाधकः = सर्व-अर्थ-साधकः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mantra-vidhi sections on japa, purashcharana, and moksha-sadhana (within the same khanda); Agni Purana stotra/nama-prayoga passages connected to Vishnu devotion
FAQs
It teaches mantra-sādhana through japa: the Gāyatrī is identified as the highest mantra, and “Oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya” is prescribed as a universally effective mantra for accomplishing aims.
By cataloging practical, widely-used mantras and their stated fruits (bhukti and mukti), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s compendium style—summarizing ritual technology (japa/mantra) alongside broader dharmic goals.
Regular japa of Gāyatrī is presented as granting both prosperity and liberation, while devotionally invoking Nārāyaṇa through the aṣṭākṣarī-like formula is said to fulfill comprehensive human goals, implying purification of karma and steady progress toward mokṣa.