Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 22
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
अमृती सा च विद्या च क्रीं सः हूं नामाथ मध्यतः फट्काराद्यां पत्रगतां त्रिह्रींकारेण वेष्टयेत्
amṛtī sā ca vidyā ca krīṃ saḥ hūṃ nāmātha madhyataḥ phaṭkārādyāṃ patragatāṃ trihrīṃkāreṇa veṣṭayet
That formula is called “Amṛtī” and also the “Vidyā”. One should place the bīja “krīṃ”, together with “saḥ” and “hūṃ”, in the middle; and the inscription beginning with “phaṭ”, written on a leaf, should be encircled (wrapped) by uttering “hrīṃ” three times.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Leaf-inscription (patra-gata) and bīja placement for the Amṛtī/Vidyā formula: central bījas (krīṃ, saḥ, hūṃ) and protective wrapping with triple hrīṃ around a phaṭ-initiated inscription.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Amṛtī/Vidyā: central krīṃ–saḥ–hūṃ and triple-hrīṃ veṣṭana around phaṭ-lekha","lookup_keywords":["Amṛtī","Vidyā","krīṃ","hrīṃ","phaṭ"],"quick_summary":"Place krīṃ with saḥ and hūṃ at the center; write the phaṭ-beginning formula on a leaf and encircle/veil it by uttering hrīṃ three times to seal and empower the inscription."}
Concept: Mantric efficacy is intensified by spatial logic (madhyataḥ placement) and protective enclosure (veṣṭana) using bīja repetition; writing (lekha) becomes a carrier of śakti.
Application: For talismanic use, inscribe on a leaf, keep krīṃ–saḥ–hūṃ centered, and ‘seal’ the written phaṭ formula by triple hrīṃ encirclement during charging/installation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Yantra/Tantra (Protective and empowering mantra-inscription practices)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palm leaf (patra) with a phaṭ-beginning mantra written on it; at the center are krīṃ, saḥ, hūṃ; around the text, three concentric encircling lines labeled hrīṃ, showing the veṣṭana (wrapping/sealing).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: close-up of palm leaf on a ritual tray, bold Devanagari bījas at center (krīṃ saḥ hūṃ), three circular bands marked hrīṃ, warm lamp light, earthy reds and blacks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: palm leaf and stylus rendered with gold highlights, concentric hrīṃ rings in embossed gold, rich jewel tones, ritual vessels and flowers framing the talismanic leaf.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram—center bīja triad, outer triple hrīṃ enclosure, arrows indicating wrapping direction, fine lines and soft colors, clear legibility.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: artisan-scribe inscribes a palm leaf, delicate concentric rings around the mantra, detailed inkpot and tools, patterned textile background, refined border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नामाथ → नाम अथ; फट्काराद्यां → फट्कार-आद्याम्; त्रिह्रींकारेण → त्रि-ह्रीं-कारेण
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313.18 (diagrammatic writing and akṣara order); Agni Purana 313.21 (cakra-lekha with fixed compartments)
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-inscription procedure: place the bījas “krīṃ saḥ hūṃ” at the center, write a “phaṭ”-initiated formula on a ritual leaf (patra), and seal/encircle it by repeating “hrīṃ” three times—functioning as a protective and empowering wrap (veṣṭana).
Beyond myth and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technologies—how to construct, arrange, and ‘seal’ mantras (bīja, phaṭ, hrīṃ) on physical media (patra). This practical manual-like instruction exemplifies its wide-ranging, encyclopedic coverage of mantra-śāstra and protective rites.
The arrangement and sealing of bījas is intended to concentrate śakti (mantric power) and provide rakṣā (spiritual protection), symbolically ‘cutting’ obstacles with “phaṭ” and enclosing the rite in the auspicious, heart-centered potency of “hrīṃ,” thereby supporting purity, safeguarding, and successful fruition of the practice.