Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
प्रासादस्य पराख्यस्य स्मृतं रूपं गुहाष्टधा रिपुदुष्टादि वारयेदिति क , ट च प्रसादस्येति ख स्मृतिरूपमिति ख सदाशिवस्य शब्दस्य रूपस्याखिलसिद्धये
prāsādasya parākhyasya smṛtaṃ rūpaṃ guhāṣṭadhā ripuduṣṭādi vārayediti ka , ṭa ca prasādasyeti kha smṛtirūpamiti kha sadāśivasya śabdasya rūpasyākhilasiddhaye
The form of the supreme Prāsāda called ‘Parā’ is remembered as the “eightfold secret” (guhya aṣṭadhā). It is said to ward off enemies, wicked persons, and the like—so read the Ka and Ṭa variants; the Kha variant has “of the prāsāda” and also “the remembered form.” (This is taught) for the attainment of complete success through the mantra-form of the word “Sadāśiva”.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s technical instructions to Vasiṣṭha in the standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Guides selection/visualization of the Parā-prāsāda as an eightfold esoteric schema and links it to Sadāśiva-mantra for protection (enemy-warding) and siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Parā-prāsāda (eightfold guhya form) and Sadāśiva mantra-siddhi","lookup_keywords":["parā-prāsāda","guhyāṣṭadhā","ripudūṣṭa-vāraṇa","Sadāśiva-śabda","siddhi"],"quick_summary":"States that the superior temple-type has an eightfold secret form and is protective; success is attained through the mantra-form of the word ‘Sadāśiva’."}
Concept: Temple-form (prāsāda) as a mantra-body (śabda-rūpa) of Sadāśiva; outer structure mirrors inner siddhi-process and protection.
Application: In prāsāda planning or consecration, pair the eightfold conceptual layout with Sadāśiva-japa/nyāsa for śānti and ripu-nivāraṇa (warding hostile forces).
Khanda Section: Vastu-Shastra & Shaiva-Tantra (Prasada/Linga-Mantra Vidhi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Parā-prāsāda visualized as an eightfold secret diagram overlaying a temple, with the word ‘Sadāśiva’ radiating as mantra-light that forms a protective boundary against hostile figures outside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal temple-prāsāda with layered tiers, eightfold mandala overlay in ochres and reds, Sadāśiva mantra glyphs encircling, subdued demon/enemy silhouettes repelled at the perimeter, traditional floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gleaming prāsāda with gold leaf highlights, central liṅga implied, ‘Sadāśiva’ in stylized script as a radiant aureole, protective guardians at thresholds, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clean architectural rendering of prāsāda with annotated eightfold divisions, subtle mantra panel ‘Sadāśiva’, calm instructional palette, fine detailing of pillars and vimāna elements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, temple courtyard scene with scholars and priests, a geometric eightfold plan drawn on paper, calligraphic ‘Sadāśiva’ hovering, enemies shown retreating beyond a luminous boundary, intricate border work."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guhāṣṭadhā → guhā aṣṭadhā; ripuduṣṭādi → ripu duṣṭa ādi; vārayediti → vārayet iti; rūpasyākhilasiddhaye → rūpasya akhilasiddhaye
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (mantra-uddhāra context); Agni Purana sections on prāsāda-lakṣaṇa and liṅga-pratiṣṭhā (Vāstu/Śilpa portions)
FAQs
It encodes a Vāstu–Tantric teaching: the ‘Parā’ prāsāda is defined through an eightfold esoteric schema (guhāṣṭadhā) and linked to mantra-prayoga, especially the mantra-form of the word ‘Sadāśiva’, for protective and success-yielding results.
It exemplifies how the Agni Purana merges applied temple-architecture (prāsāda-lakṣaṇa) with ritual technology (mantra-rūpa and apotropaic protection), showing the text’s breadth across Vāstu, Tantra, and practical religious rites.
By grounding temple-form in an esoteric eightfold doctrine and consecrating it through ‘Sadāśiva’ mantra-form, the verse frames the prāsāda as a spiritually fortified space that repels harm and supports siddhi—ritual efficacy aligned with Śaiva sanctity.