Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
Chapter 315: नानामन्त्राः
Various Mantras
खेछेति च प्रयोगो ऽयं विघ्नदुष्टादि वारयेत् ह्रूं स्त्रीं ओमितियोगो ऽयं योषिदादिवशीकरः
khecheti ca prayogo 'yaṃ vighnaduṣṭādi vārayet hrūṃ strīṃ omitiyogo 'yaṃ yoṣidādivaśīkaraḥ
This practice employing the utterance “khe” is used to ward off obstacles and malicious forces. The application consisting of the bīja-mantras “hrūṃ” and “strīṃ,” joined with “oṃ,” is used for vaśīkaraṇa—subjugation, bringing women and others under one’s influence.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Two prayogas: (1) ‘khe’ utterance for obstacle/duṣṭa warding; (2) bīja-combination (hrūṃ + strīṃ + oṃ) for vaśīkaraṇa (subjugation/influence).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vighna-duṣṭa-nivāraṇa ‘khe’ prayoga and hrūṃ–strīṃ–oṃ vaśīkaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["khe","vighna","duṣṭa","hrūṃ","vaśīkaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Assigns specific outcomes to compact bīja-utterances: obstacle/malefic warding and influence/subjugation over women and others."}
Concept: Mantra is presented as a functional technology: distinct phonemes map to distinct worldly effects (vighna-nāśa, vaśīkaraṇa).
Application: Use as categorized prayogas—protective vs. influence-oriented—keeping intention and ethical restraint aligned with dharma in practice.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Tantric Prayoga and Vashi-karana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two scenes: first, a protective circle where ‘khe’ wards off shadowy obstacles; second, a ritualist chanting hrūṃ–strīṃ–oṃ with symbolic ‘attraction/influence’ motifs (threads/lotus-rays) directed toward a target figure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, protective mandala with ‘khe’ inscribed, dark vighna-figures repelled; second vignette shows subtle influence rays from bīja-syllables, traditional flat perspective and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted mantra syllables around a protective yantra; second panel with lotus and gentle radiance indicating vaśīkaraṇa, ornate jewelry and rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: protective boundary and repelled obstacles; separate frame for hrūṃ–strīṃ–oṃ chant with labeled bīja text, calm instructional tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal courtyard ritual with lamp, obstacles as allegorical figures at the edge; second scene in a garden pavilion with subtle symbolic attraction, fine detailing and calligraphic bīja cartouches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bageshri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रयोगो ऽयं→प्रयोगः अयम्; योगो ऽयं→योगः अयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Nānāmantrāḥ (ch. 315)
FAQs
It teaches two mantra-prayogas: (1) a “khe”-based utterance for preventing obstacles and malefic influences, and (2) a bīja-mantra combination “hrūṃ–strīṃ” with “oṃ” used for vaśīkaraṇa (subjugation/attraction).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs applied disciplines; here it preserves concise, technical mantra-vidyā instructions—protective rites and influence-oriented prayogas—alongside its many other subjects.
The protection-prayoga is framed as removing impediments (vighna) and hostile forces; the vaśīkaraṇa instruction reflects a results-oriented ritual technology, traditionally treated as powerful and ethically consequential due to its intent to influence others.