Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
शिखावीजं समुद्धृत्य फट्कारान्तन्तु चैव फट् अर्धचन्द्रासनं ज्ञेयं कामदेवं ससर्पकम्
śikhāvījaṃ samuddhṛtya phaṭkārāntantu caiva phaṭ ardhacandrāsanaṃ jñeyaṃ kāmadevaṃ sasarpakam
Having taken up the Śikhā-bīja and then adding the syllable “phaṭ” at the end—indeed uttering “phaṭ”—one should understand this practice as the Ardhacandra-āsana, associated with Kāmadeva, together with the accompanying serpent element.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual/tantric prayoga sections of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Perform a specific mudrā/āsana-formation and mantra-closure: take the Śikhā-bīja and append ‘phaṭ’ for protective/activating effect, identifying the configuration as Ardhacandra-āsana linked with Kāmadeva and a serpent motif.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śikhā-bīja with phaṭ: Ardhacandra-āsana of Kāmadeva with serpent element","lookup_keywords":["śikhā-bīja","phaṭ","ardhacandra-āsana","kāmadeva","sarpa"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes extracting/uttering the śikhā-bīja and sealing it with ‘phaṭ’, defining the resulting prayoga as an ardhacandra-āsana associated with Kāmadeva and a serpent component."}
Concept: Bīja + astra-syllable (phaṭ) transforms a seed into an operative force; form (āsana/mudrā) and sound (mantra) are inseparable in tantric efficacy.
Application: In japa/nyāsa and ritual visualization, append phaṭ to ‘activate/seal’ the bīja and stabilize the intended deity-form and protective boundary.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi & Tantra (Mudra-Mantra Prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual practitioner forming an ardhacandra (half-moon) seat/gesture, with the śikhā-bīja written above and ‘phaṭ’ as a sealing syllable; Kāmadeva’s emblematic presence with a coiled serpent motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated sādhaka before a yantra, half-moon motif beneath, Kāmadeva icon faintly behind, a stylized serpent coil at the base, bold lines and temple pigments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Kāmadeva with ornate jewelry, half-moon seat highlighted with gold, serpent motif curling near the pedestal, Sanskrit bīja and ‘phaṭ’ in decorative cartouche.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of the ardhacandra-āsana and where ‘phaṭ’ is appended, small inset of Kāmadeva and serpent symbol, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a yogin in a pavilion performing a ritual gesture, calligraphed bīja and ‘phaṭ’ on a scroll, delicate serpent motif near the cushion, subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Raga Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: फट्कारान्तम् + तु → फट्कारान्तन्तु (म्+त्); च + एव → चैव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (bīja/akṣara-lakṣaṇa and prāsāda-mantra sequence)
FAQs
It gives a specific mantra-construction rule: take the Śikhā-bīja and terminate it with the ‘phaṭ’ syllable, identifying the resulting prayoga with the Ardhacandra-āsana linked to Kāmadeva and a serpent-associated adjunct.
Beyond narrative theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical ritual technology—bīja usage, phaṭkāra endings, and named āsana/mudrā identifications—functioning like a compact manual of tantric-pūjā procedure.
In tantric-pūjā contexts, correct bīja formation and ‘phaṭ’ application are taught as means to direct shakti effectively—typically for protection/repulsion and controlled attraction (Kāmadeva)—thereby purifying the rite and ensuring intended ritual fruit (siddhi) without ritual fault.