Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 14
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
मारयेदचिरादेष श्मशाने निहतं रिपुं छेदं करोति राष्ट्रस्य चक्रमध्ये न्यसेद्रिपुं
mārayedacirādeṣa śmaśāne nihataṃ ripuṃ chedaṃ karoti rāṣṭrasya cakramadhye nyasedripuṃ
By this rite, he would cause the enemy to be slain quickly; the enemy is struck down in the cremation-ground. It brings about a ‘cutting off’ (cheda) of the enemy’s realm; one should place the enemy within the middle of the ritual wheel (cakra).
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the abhicāra/ritual-technology sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Abhicāra (aggressive rite) aiming at rapid enemy destruction and political disruption by installing the enemy’s identity within the central cakra of the ritual operation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Abhicāra-cakra madhya-nyāsa: ripu-nāma-sthāpana for māraṇa and rājya-ccheda","lookup_keywords":["māraṇa","abhicāra","cakra-madhya nyāsa","ripu-nāma","rāṣṭra-ccheda"],"quick_summary":"The rite prescribes placing the enemy (by name/representation) in the center of a ritual wheel to effect māraṇa and severance of the enemy’s realm—an archetype of ‘targeted central installation’ in abhicāra."}
Concept: Ritual technology of ‘nyāsa’ (installation) treats name/effigy as a functional proxy for the target within a power-diagram.
Application: For ethical study, interpret as historical evidence of name-magic and proxy-targeting logic in tantric systems; in practice, redirect to protective/defensive rites rather than harm.
Khanda Section: Tantra / Abhicara (Protective and aggressive rites; Shatkarma-oriented ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual wheel (cakra) is drawn; at its center lies a written enemy name or small effigy, while the cremation-ground setting frames the rite as a fierce operation aimed at severing the enemy’s power.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold cakra diagram with central name-scroll, cremation pyre flames in background, fierce ritual ambience, limited palette with strong reds and blacks","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted cakra with central inscription, stylized cremation-ground motifs, priestly figure performing nyāsa, ornate border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear instructional depiction of cakra with labeled madhya-sthāna, small effigy/name placed at center, subdued background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed circular diagram on cloth, central name tablet, attendants watching, night cremation-ground with moonlight and smoke"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mārayedacirādeṣa → mārayet + acirāt + eṣaḥ; nyasedripuṃ → nyaset + ripum
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (abhicāra and cakra-nyāsa continuation)
FAQs
It describes an abhicāra-style targeting method: placing the enemy (as a ritual referent) into the center of a cakra/mandala via nyāsa, linked with cremation-ground practice for rapid enemy-neutralization.
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technologies (cakra/mandala procedures, nyāsa, and śmaśāna-context rites) that intersect with protection, conflict, and practical statecraft concerns.
Because it involves harmful intent and śmaśāna-linked abhicāra, it is traditionally treated as spiritually risky and karmically weighty; later dharmic frameworks typically restrict such acts, favoring protective rites over injury to others.