Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
Chapter 326 — देवालयमाहात्म्यम्
The Glory of Temples
गीतः पञ्चाक्षरो वेदे लोके गीतःषडक्षरः ओमित्यन्ते स्थितः शम्भुर्मुद्रार्थं वटवीजवत्
gītaḥ pañcākṣaro vede loke gītaḥṣaḍakṣaraḥ omityante sthitaḥ śambhurmudrārthaṃ vaṭavījavat
In the Veda, the (Śiva-)mantra is taught as five-syllabled; in common practice it is taught as six-syllabled. When the syllable Oṃ is placed at the end, Śambhu (Śiva) is established there—like the seed of the banyan—serving the intended purpose of the mudrā (ritual seal/gesture).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Choosing pañcākṣara vs ṣaḍakṣara forms of the Śiva-mantra; integrating praṇava (Oṃ) as a bīja-like seal for mudrā-siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pañcākṣara–Ṣaḍakṣara Śiva-mantra and Praṇava Placement","lookup_keywords":["pañcākṣara","ṣaḍakṣara","praṇava","oṃ placement","mudrārtha"],"quick_summary":"Distinguishes Vedic five-syllable and popular six-syllable Śiva-mantra usage, and teaches that adding Oṃ at the end establishes Śambhu there like a banyan-seed bīja, fulfilling the mudrā’s intent."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Mantra is structured sound (varṇa-krama) whose efficacy depends on authorized form and placement; praṇava functions as a bīja concentrating divinity.
Application: In ritual manuals, specify the mantra form (5/6 syllables) and the praṇava’s position to match the intended mudrā/nyāsa outcome.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Tantra (Mudra–Mantra classification; Pranava integration)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher demonstrates mantra syllable-counting on a rosary, showing pañcākṣara and ṣaḍakṣara forms, then placing Oṃ as a final seed-syllable, illustrated by a banyan seed motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guru and disciple seated, palm-leaf manuscript open with syllables, rosary in hand, stylized banyan tree with tiny seed glowing near the mantra text, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central mantra panel with ‘namaḥ śivāya’ and ‘oṃ’ highlighted in gold, banyan seed icon as bīja, guru figure with halo-like arch, rich gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean didactic composition—syllable boxes (5 vs 6), arrow showing Oṃ appended, small banyan seed diagram; delicate lines, pastel wash, clarity of instruction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly setting with manuscripts and beads, fine calligraphy-like rendering of syllables, banyan tree in background symbolizing bīja, detailed textiles and cushions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गीतःषडक्षरः = गीतः + षडक्षरः. ओमित्यन्ते = ओम् + इति + अन्ते. शम्भुर्मुद्रार्थं = शम्भुः + मुद्रार्थम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 326 (mantra classification; praṇava integration; mudrā/nyāsa context)
FAQs
It classifies the Śiva-mantra as five-syllabled in Vedic usage and six-syllabled in popular practice, and instructs how appending Oṃ at the end functions ritually—supporting the mudrā’s intended operative effect in worship/mantra-prayoga.
It preserves a technical crosswalk between Vedic mantra-forms and later ritual (tantric/temple) praxis—showing the Purāṇa’s role as a handbook that codifies mantra-structure, pronunciation conventions, and practical ritual mechanics (mudrā–mantra linkage).
Correct mantra-formation (including the placement of Oṃ) is presented as activating Śiva’s presence effectively; like a banyan seed containing immense potency, a properly sealed (mudrā-aligned) mantra is held to yield concentrated spiritual fruit and purification.