Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 19
अध्याय १ — यजुर्विधानम्
Agni Purana, Chapter 259: Yajur-vidhāna
युञ्जते मनो ऽनुवाकं जप्त्वा दीर्घायुराप्नुयात् विष्णोरवाटमित्येतत् सर्वबाधाविनाशनं
yuñjate mano 'nuvākaṃ japtvā dīrghāyurāpnuyāt viṣṇoravāṭamityetat sarvabādhāvināśanaṃ
Having performed japa of the formula known as the “Mano-’nuvāka”, one attains long life. This mantra beginning with “viṣṇor avāṭam” is a destroyer of all afflictions and obstacles.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s ritual instructions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Japa of Mano-’nuvāka for longevity; japa/recitation of ‘viṣṇor avāṭam…’ as a universal obstacle-remover (sarva-bādhā-vināśana).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Mano-’nuvāka Japa for Dīrghāyu and ‘Viṣṇor avāṭam’ for Sarva-bādhā-nāśa","lookup_keywords":["mano anuvāka japa","dīrghāyu","viṣṇor avāṭam","sarva bādhā vināśana","rakṣā mantra"],"quick_summary":"Regular japa of the Mano-’nuvāka is said to grant long life. The mantra beginning ‘viṣṇor avāṭam’ is prescribed as a general remover of obstacles and afflictions."}
Concept: Mantra-japa as daily protective discipline: āyus (life-span) and bādhā-śānti are pursued through regulated recitation.
Application: Adopt consistent japa (fixed count/time) alongside sāttvika conduct; use the Viṣṇu-protective mantra as a śānti practice before travel, illness, or major undertakings.
Khanda Section: Mantra-japa and Protective Rites (Raksha-vidhi / Shanti-kalpa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performs japa with a mālā before a small Viṣṇu altar; a protective aura spreads outward, symbolizing removal of obstacles and granting of long life.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu shrine with lamp, devotee seated in japa, stylized concentric protective circles, calm blue-green palette, sacred stillness","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu with gold halo and ornaments, devotee chanting below, gold embossing on conch and discus, auspicious protective composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional japa posture, mālā counting, written mantra incipit ‘viṣṇor avāṭam’ on a scroll, neat altar arrangement","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with prayer niche, devotee chanting, subtle symbolic depiction of obstacles dissolving (dark clouds clearing), delicate detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मनोऽनुवाकं → मनः + अनुवाकम्; दीर्घायुः → दीर्घ-आयुः; दीर्घायुराप्नुयात् → दीर्घ-आयुः + आप्नुयात्; विष्णोरवाटम् → विष्णोः + अवाटम्; इत्येतत् → इति + एतत्; सर्वबाधाविनाशनं → सर्व-बाधा-विनाशनम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 259 (rakṣā-vidhi/śānti-kalpa mantras)
FAQs
It prescribes mantra-japa of a specific named formula (“Mano-’nuvāka”) and a Viṣṇu-linked mantra phrase (“viṣṇor avāṭam”) as a practical rakṣā (protective) method aimed at longevity and obstacle-removal.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana catalogs applied ritual technologies—here, a concise, outcome-oriented instruction for japa used as a remedial measure (śānti/rakṣā) for health, longevity, and the mitigation of worldly impediments.
Regular japa is presented as both merit-generating and purificatory, producing longevity and the pacification of bādhās (harmful influences/obstacles) through devotionally invoking Viṣṇu’s protective power.