Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 21
Tvaritā-pūjā (The Worship of Tvaritā) — Transition Verse and Context
तोतलेति समाख्याता वज्रतुण्डे ततो भवेत् ख ख हूं दशवीजा स्याद्वज्रतुण्डेन्द्रद्रूतिका
totaleti samākhyātā vajratuṇḍe tato bhavet kha kha hūṃ daśavījā syādvajratuṇḍendradrūtikā
It is called “Totalā”; thereafter it becomes the mantra of Vajratuṇḍa. The formula “kha kha hūṃ” is a tenfold bīja-mantra; it is the swift-acting (drūtikā) invocation of Vajratuṇḍendra.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, per the usual Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Using specific protective bīja-formulas and deity-linked mantra-names (Totalā, Vajratuṇḍa/Vajratuṇḍendra) for swift-acting rakṣā and obstacle-clearing prayoga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Totalā and Vajratuṇḍa mantras; tenfold bīja 'kha kha hūṃ' as drūtikā","lookup_keywords":["Totalā","Vajratuṇḍa","Vajratuṇḍendra","kha kha hūṃ","drūtikā"],"quick_summary":"Provides mantra nomenclature and a compact bīja-formula described as tenfold and swift-acting, associated with Vajratuṇḍendra for protective/forceful applications."}
Weapon Type: Vajra (symbolic/ritual weapon)
Concept: Certain bīja-combinations function as rapid-response protective tools (drūtikā), where name, deity-link, and phonetic force are integral to prayoga.
Application: Deploy the short formula in urgent protective contexts (rakṣā, stambhana/uccāṭana-type forceful rites where permitted by tradition), maintaining lineage instructions.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya / Tantra (Protective spells and bija-mantras)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fierce guardian deity labeled Vajratuṇḍendra with vajra symbolism; a practitioner utters 'kha kha hūṃ' as a protective burst, shown as sound-waves repelling dark obstacles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fierce protective deity with vajra motif, bold eyes, dynamic stance, sound syllables rendered as stylized script emanations, dark obstacle-figures pushed back, high-contrast reds and blacks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Vajratuṇḍendra enthroned or standing with gold-leaf aura, vajra highlighted in gold, practitioner below in devotion, syllables 'ख ख हूं' inscribed, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic: deity icon at top, mantra text 'kha kha hūṃ' centered, arrows indicating 'drūtikā' swift effect, clean composition and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic yet refined: practitioner in profile reciting, protective deity appearing in a cloud-like vignette, calligraphic mantra in margin, obstacles depicted as shadowy forms retreating."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: totala + iti → totaleti; syāt + vajratuṇḍendra... → syādvajratuṇḍendra... (t→d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 309.22 (protective mantra-name repertoire); Agni Purana rakṣā/kavaca-related mantra sections
FAQs
It specifies a named mantra-stream (“Totalā”) and identifies the bīja-syllables “kha kha hūṁ” as a tenfold bīja-form used as a rapid-action (drūtikā) invocation connected with Vajratuṇḍendra.
Alongside dharma, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs practical mantra-technology—naming mantras, giving seed-syllables, and indicating their classified use (here, a drūtikā/quick-acting formula) within ritual practice.
As a protective/efficacious mantra instruction, it is traditionally understood to aid purification and safeguarding of the practitioner, supporting steadiness of mind and ritual success when employed with proper discipline and intent.