Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 6
Chapter 306 — त्रैलोक्यमोहनमन्त्राः
Mantras for Enchanting the Three Worlds
गत्वा पद्मासनं बद्ध्वा शोषयेद्विधिना वपुः रक्षोघ्नविघ्नकृद्दिक्षु न्यसेदादौ सुदर्शनम्
gatvā padmāsanaṃ baddhvā śoṣayedvidhinā vapuḥ rakṣoghnavighnakṛddikṣu nyasedādau sudarśanam
Having seated oneself in the lotus posture (padmāsana), one should, according to the prescribed method, dry/discipline the body; then, for the destruction of rākṣasas and the removal of obstacles, one should first perform nyāsa, placing Sudarśana in the directions.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual yoga sequence: assume padmāsana, perform bodily drying/disciplining (śoṣaṇa) as purification, then directional nyāsa of Sudarśana for rakṣā (protection) and vighna-nāśa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Padmāsana–Śoṣaṇa and Dig-nyāsa of Sudarśana for Rakṣā","lookup_keywords":["padmāsana","śoṣaṇa","dig-nyāsa","sudarśana","vighna-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"Begin with stable posture and prescribed internal purification, then install Sudarśana in the directions to destroy hostile forces and remove obstacles before further worship."}
Weapon Type: Chakra (Sudarśana)
Concept: Inner discipline (āsana + śoṣaṇa) precedes outer protection (dig-bandha/nyāsa); purity and rakṣā are sequential limbs of successful pūjā.
Application: Before mantra-japa or homa, stabilize posture, perform internal cleansing visualization, then establish a protective directional field to reduce distraction and perceived/ritual obstacles.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yoga–dhyana–nyasa and protective ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated in padmāsana, performing internal drying/purification; then projecting Sudarśana to the eight directions as a spinning protective disc barrier around the ritual space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: yogin in padmāsana with stylized aura, eight-direction mandala around him, Sudarśana discs at cardinal and intercardinal points, bold lines, temple-wall symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central seated sādhaka with gold halo, Sudarśana chakra rendered with gold embossing in the directions, ornate mandala border, deep jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic yet elegant depiction—padmāsana posture accuracy, arrows to directions, Sudarśana placements, calm background, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: seated ascetic in a pavilion, subtle swirling discs placed around, attendants and ritual implements nearby, fine detailing of directional layout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शोषयेद्विधिना = शोषयेत् विधिना; रक्षोघ्नविघ्नकृद्दिक्षु = रक्षः-घ्नः विघ्न-कृत् दिक्षु (समुच्चय/विशेषण-समाहार); न्यसेदादौ = न्यसेत् आदौ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: sections on nyāsa, dig-bandha, rakṣā-vidhi, and Sudarśana-kalpa elements within Agneya-vidyā
FAQs
It teaches a practical protection sequence: assume padmāsana, perform bodily restraint/purification as prescribed, and begin directional nyāsa by installing Sudarśana as a rakṣaḥ-destroying, obstacle-clearing safeguard.
It exemplifies the text’s manual-like coverage of applied ritual technology—yogic posture, preparatory discipline, and tantric-style nyāsa for directional protection—alongside its many other domains (law, medicine, polity, and arts).
The instruction frames inner discipline and protective consecration as prerequisites for worship, aiming at purification, the pacification of impediments (vighna), and safeguarding the practitioner from harmful forces.