Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 323 — The Six-Limbed Aghora Astras (षडङ्गान्यघोरस्त्राणि)
दुर्भिक्षमारीशान्त्यर्थे दुःस्वप्नहरणाय च बलादिराज्यप्राप्त्यर्थं रिपूणां नाशनाय च
durbhikṣamārīśāntyarthe duḥsvapnaharaṇāya ca balādirājyaprāptyarthaṃ ripūṇāṃ nāśanāya ca
It is for the pacification of famine and epidemic afflictions, for the removal of evil dreams, for the attainment of power and sovereignty, and also for the destruction of enemies.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Śānti rites applied to public calamities (famine/epidemic), personal omens (bad dreams), and political aims (sovereignty, enemy-destruction).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śānti-kalpa: calamity, omen, and polity-oriented fruits","lookup_keywords":["durbhikṣa-śānti","mārī-śānti","duḥsvapna-haraṇa","rājya-prāpti","ripu-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates practical motivations for pacificatory rites: avert famine and epidemics, remove ominous dreams, gain power/kingdom, and neutralize enemies."}
Concept: Ritual responsibility extends from private well-being to rāṣṭra-kṣema (welfare of the realm).
Application: Kings/householders deploy śānti as a dharmic response to collective crises and political instability, aiming at restoration of order.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-kalpa (Protective rites and pacificatory rituals)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal and civic śānti ceremony: priests conduct homa while townspeople seek relief from famine and epidemic; the king prays for sovereignty and protection from enemies.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession to temple for mārī-śānti, priests at fire altar, villagers with offerings, stylized palace/temple backdrop, strong outlines, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king and queen before a deity with gold halo, priests performing śānti-homa for prosperity and protection, ornate jewelry and gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene: separate panels showing famine relief śānti, epidemic śānti, dream-omen appeasement, and royal consecration-like prayer, fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-sponsored ritual during epidemic, physicians and priests present, king seated on carpeted dais, cityscape hints, meticulous figures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुर्भिक्षमारीशान्त्यर्थे = दुर्-भिक्ष-मारी-शान्ति-अर्थे; दुःस्वप्नहरणाय = दुः-स्वप्न-हरणाय; बलादिराज्यप्राप्त्यर्थं = बल-आदि-राज्य-प्राप्ति-अर्थम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 323 (Śānti-kalpa aims)
FAQs
It enumerates the practical aims (prayojana) of a Śānti-prayoga: pacifying famine and epidemics, removing ominous dreams, securing political strength/sovereignty, and neutralizing enemies.
By listing both public calamity-management (famine, epidemic), personal omens (bad dreams), and royal objectives (power, kingship, enemy suppression), it shows how the Agni Purana integrates ritual technology with governance and social welfare.
Śānti-oriented acts are framed as dharmic means to reduce collective and personal afflictions (upadrava), restore auspiciousness, and protect order (rājadharma) through sanctioned, purificatory ritual action.