Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 1
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे नीराजनाविधिर्नाम सप्तषष्ट्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः विशाखान्त्विति क , छ च अथाष्टषष्ट्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः पुष्कर उवाच छत्रादिमन्त्रान्वक्ष्यामि यैस्तत् पूज्य जयादिकम् ब्रह्मणः सत्यवाक्येन सोमस्य वरुणस्य च
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe nīrājanāvidhirnāma saptaṣaṣṭyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ viśākhāntviti ka , cha ca athāṣṭaṣaṣṭyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ chatrādimantrādayaḥ puṣkara uvāca chatrādimantrānvakṣyāmi yaistat pūjya jayādikam brahmaṇaḥ satyavākyena somasya varuṇasya ca
Thus, in the Agni Mahāpurāṇa, the two-hundred and sixty-seventh chapter entitled “The Rite of Nīrājana (ceremonial waving of lights)” concludes. (So reads a variant in some manuscripts: “ending with Viśākhā”.) Now begins the two-hundred and sixty-eighth chapter: “Mantras for the Parasol and other (royal/worship) emblems.” Puṣkara said: “I shall declare the mantras beginning with the parasol, by which that set of emblems—worthy of worship—bestows victory and the like, by the truthful utterance of Brahmā, and by the power of Soma and Varuṇa as well.”
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Mantra-prayoga for consecrating and worshipping royal/worship emblems (e.g., parasol/insignia) to secure victory, legitimacy, and protection in rājakārya and ceremonial pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Chatrādi-mantra-prakaraṇa (mantras for parasol and royal emblems)","lookup_keywords":["chatrādi-mantra","rāja-cihna","jayaprada","Puṣkara uvāca","Brahmā Soma Varuṇa"],"quick_summary":"Introduces the chapter on mantras for the parasol and related emblems, framing their efficacy as grounded in satya (truth-power) associated with Brahmā, Soma, and Varuṇa."}
Concept: Satya as mantra-śakti: efficacy of rites is anchored in truthful, cosmic order upheld by deities (Brahmā, Soma, Varuṇa).
Application: In state/temple ceremonies, align speech and intention with satya; treat insignia as sacred supports of dharma and governance.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Worship Procedures) / Mantra-vidhi (Mantras for royal emblems and worship accessories)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A chapter-opening scene: sage Puṣkara instructs on mantras for the royal parasol and emblems; a parasol (chhatra) and other insignia are arranged for worship with flowers, lamps, and water vessels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Puṣkara seated teaching disciples, ceremonial parasol and emblems laid on a ritual platform, Brahmā/Soma/Varuṇa suggested as subtle divine presences, ornate borders, calm didactic mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly decorated royal parasol as central object of worship, gold foil on parasol ribs and ritual vessels, Puṣkara as guru figure, symmetrical altar arrangement.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau: labeled-like clarity of parasol and accessories, priest preparing pūjā items, Puṣkara narrating, soft pastel tones and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scholar scene: sage reciting to courtiers, parasol and insignia displayed on carpet, delicate calligraphic margins, architectural pavilion backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; नीराजनाविधिर्नाम → नीराजनाविधिः नाम; ऽध्यायः → अध्यायः (avagraha); छत्रादिमन्त्रान्वक्ष्यामि → छत्रादिमन्त्रान् वक्ष्यामि; यैस्तत् → यैः तत्; (क, छ) treated as editorial sigla.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 268 (Chatrādi-mantras); Agni Purana pūjā-upakaraṇa mantra sections
FAQs
It signals the transition from the Nīrājana rite (ceremonial illumination) to a new chapter teaching “chatrādi” mantras—formulas for consecrating/worshipping the parasol and related emblems used in worship and auspicious victory-oriented rites.
Even the chapter colophons and openings map the text’s practical ritual catalog: it moves from lamp-waving purification (nīrājana) to specialized mantras for specific objects (parasol and insignia), showing how the Purāṇa systematizes discrete procedures, mantras, and outcomes (like victory).
By framing these mantras as empowered through the “truthful utterance” of Brahmā and the deities Soma and Varuṇa, the verse emphasizes mantra-śakti grounded in satya (truth) and divine order, implying auspicious protection, legitimacy, and success when performed with proper worship.