Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 18
Daṣṭa-cikitsā (Treatment for Bites) — Mantra-Dhyāna-Auṣadha Protocols for Viṣa
संप्लवः प्लावय यमः शब्दाद्यः संहरेद्विषं दण्डमुत्थापयेदेष सुजप्ताम्भो ऽभिषेकतः
saṃplavaḥ plāvaya yamaḥ śabdādyaḥ saṃharedviṣaṃ daṇḍamutthāpayedeṣa sujaptāmbho 'bhiṣekataḥ
“Saṃplava” brings about inundation; “Plāvaya” makes (the enemy’s forces) drift away; “Yama” restrains them. The “Śabdādya” mantra, beginning with the mystic sound, destroys the foe. This rite “raises the staff”—that is, establishes punitive authority—through an abhiṣeka of sprinkling with water well consecrated by mantra-recitation.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Catalog of named mantras and their tactical effects (inundation, dispersal, restraint, destruction) plus a water-abhisheka rite to establish punitive authority (‘raising the staff’).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Saṃplava–Plāvaya–Yama–Śabdādya Mantras and Abhiṣeka for Daṇḍotthāpana","lookup_keywords":["saṃplava","plāvaya","yama-mantra","śabdādya","abhiṣeka"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates specific mantras by function and prescribes consecrated-water sprinkling to effect control/neutralization, culminating in daṇḍotthāpana (assertion of punitive restraint)."}
Weapon Type: Daṇḍa (staff) as symbol of coercive authority
Concept: Mantra as functional force-class: flooding, drifting-away, restraining, and sound-origin destruction; abhiṣeka as the medium that ‘installs’ authority (daṇḍa).
Application: Use consecrated water as a carrier of mantra-force for boundary control, counter-spell, and enforcement rites.
Khanda Section: Mantra-tantra & Abhichara-Prayoga (Protective rites and counter-spells)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual scene where the practitioner consecrates water with repeated mantra-japa, then sprinkles it to ‘raise the staff’—symbolizing restraint and dispersal of hostile forces—while named mantras appear as distinct currents (flood, drift, bind, strike).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic waves labeled Saṃplava and Plāvaya, a binding noose motif for Yama, luminous sound-glyph for Śabdādya, priest sprinkling water from kalasha, staff planted upright, bold flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central upright golden staff (daṇḍa) with embossed gold, priest performing abhiṣeka with shimmering droplets, four mantra forces as decorative aureoles, temple-like backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: four mantra names in cartouches with corresponding visual icons (wave, drift, bind, sound-burst), practitioner sprinkling consecrated water, refined linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, battlefield-camp protection rite: officiant sprinkling water around a pavilion, soldiers calmed, symbolic staff raised, stylized wave and sound motifs in the margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"forceful","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दण्डमुत्थापयेदेष → दण्डम् + उत्थापयेत् + एषः; अम्भोऽभिषेकतः → अम्भः + अभिषेकतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 294 (abhicāra-prayoga and rakṣā-karma sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a practical mantra-prayoga: specific named mantras (Saṃplava, Plāvaya, Yama, Śabdādya) are applied for driving away and destroying hostile forces, finalized through abhiṣeka using water empowered by repeated japa (sujaptāmbhaḥ).
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves operational ritual technologies—named mantra-functions, coercive ‘daṇḍa’ symbolism, and abhiṣeka procedures—showing its coverage of applied religion, protection rites, and governance symbolism within one compendium.
The rite frames protection and restraint of harm through mantra and consecrated water, implying purification and establishment of dharmic order (daṇḍa) rather than mere aggression—channeling ritual power toward removing hostility and restoring balance.