Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 20
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
सन्निबद्धो ऽथेति क , ख , ज च अस्तं प्रतिगते सूर्ये द्विषन्तं प्रतिबाधते न वयश्चेति सूक्तानि जपन् शत्रून्नियच्छति
sannibaddho 'theti ka , kha , ja ca astaṃ pratigate sūrye dviṣantaṃ pratibādhate na vayaśceti sūktāni japan śatrūnniyacchati
When the sun has set, being duly prepared, one should recite the mantric syllables “ka, kha, and ja”; thereby one checks and obstructs a hostile person. By repeating the hymnic formulas beginning with “na vayaḥ …”, one restrains enemies.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Apotropaic evening japa using bīja-like syllables and specific sūkta-recitation to obstruct hostile forces and restrain enemies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śatru-nigraha Japa at Sunset: ‘ka-kha-ja’ and ‘na vayaḥ…’ Sūktas","lookup_keywords":["shatru-nigraha","asta-kala","ka-kha-ja","na vayaḥ sukta","pratibandha"],"quick_summary":"At sunset, after due preparation, recite the syllables ‘ka, kha, ja’ to impede an adversary; repeat the ‘na vayaḥ…’ formulas to restrain enemies."}
Concept: Kāla-viśeṣa (sunset) and mantra-śakti are employed for pratibandha (obstruction) and nigraha (restraint) of hostility.
Application: Use only within dhārmic bounds: defensive protection, de-escalation, and safeguarding household/ritual space at twilight.
Khanda Section: Mantra-prayoga & Shatru-nigraha (Protective/Apotropaic Rites)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At dusk, a prepared practitioner performs japa facing the setting sun, invoking syllables and Vedic formulas to create a protective barrier against an approaching hostile figure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, twilight gradient sky, sādhaka with japa-mālā and ritual seat, subtle protective aura motif, distant shadowy adversary halted at a threshold, temple lamp just lit","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, dramatic sunset disc with gold foil, central figure in ritual posture, ornamental border, symbolic barrier line between practitioner and enemy, rich maroons and blacks","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: setting sun icon, practitioner with mantra syllables inscribed near mouth, enemy figure shown ‘stopped’ with a clear boundary, clean pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace courtyard at dusk, scholar-priest reciting from a folio, guards in background, hostile petitioner restrained at gate, fine architectural detail and soft evening light"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"intense","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sannibaddho 'theti → sannibaddhaḥ + atha + iti; vayaśceti → vayaḥ + ca + iti; śatrūnniyacchati → śatrūn + niyacchati; astaṃ pratigate sūrye taken as locative absolute-like: ‘when the sun has gone to setting’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-prayoga sections on rakṣā, śānti, and abhichāra distinctions; Agni Purana: sandhyā-related observances (twilight discipline)
FAQs
It prescribes an after-sunset mantra-japa practice using specific syllables (“ka, kha, ja”) and suktas beginning with “na vayaḥ …” as a ritual countermeasure to obstruct and restrain enemies.
Alongside theology and mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs applied ritual technologies—timing (sunset), specific recitations, and pragmatic aims (enemy restraint)—showing its breadth as a manual of diverse vidyās and ritual procedures.
The act of disciplined japa at the prescribed time is presented as a dharmic, mantra-based means of protection and control over harmful influences, emphasizing regulated speech (mantra) and ritual order as spiritually efficacious.