Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 31
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
ओंभूर्भुवः स्वःकवचं सत्यात्मने ततो ऽस्त्रकं विन्यस्य पूजयेद्विष्णुं जपेद्वै भुक्तिमुक्तये
oṃbhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥkavacaṃ satyātmane tato 'strakaṃ vinyasya pūjayedviṣṇuṃ japedvai bhuktimuktaye
Having set upon oneself the protective armor-mantra “oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ” for the True-Souled Lord, and then performed astra-nyāsa (the placement of the weapon-mantra), one should worship Viṣṇu and repeat the mantra for the sake of worldly enjoyment and liberation.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Daily protective practice (kavaca + astra-nyasa) preceding Vishnu-puja and japa for both worldly welfare and liberation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhūr-bhuvaḥ-svaḥ Kavaca and Astra-nyāsa before Viṣṇu-japa","lookup_keywords":["kavaca","astra-nyasa","bhur bhuvah svah","Vishnu-upasana","bhukti-mukti"],"quick_summary":"Install the protective kavaca-mantra and perform astra-nyāsa, then worship Viṣṇu and do japa aiming at both bhukti (well-being) and mukti (liberation)."}
Concept: Bhur-bhuvaḥ-svaḥ as protective kavaca; worship and japa as a unified means to bhukti and mukti.
Application: Frame japa with nyāsa for steadiness, protection, and single-pointed devotion; keep the goal explicit (bhukti-mukti).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kavaca and Vishnu-upasana (Protective rites and liberation-oriented japa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated before a Viṣṇu altar performs kavaca-nyāsa with the vyāhṛtis, then astra-nyāsa, and begins focused japa for bhukti and mukti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep earthy reds and greens, sādhaka with sacred thread and rudrākṣa, Viṣṇu in the background with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma, hands showing nyāsa gestures, lamp-lit sanctum ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed Viṣṇu on a pedestal, ornate arch, sādhaka in front performing nyāsa, rich textiles, embossed jewelry, ritual vessels and tulasī, luminous devotional composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: labeled nyāsa points on the body, small Viṣṇu icon on altar, japa-mālā in hand, minimal but precise ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior turned into a shrine room, fine detailing of mala beads and manuscripts, sādhaka performing nyāsa, Viṣṇu image on a small throne, delicate borders and calligraphy panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective-devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: oṃbhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥkavacaṃ → oṃ | bhūḥ | bhuvaḥ | svaḥ | kavacam. tato 'strakaṃ → tataḥ | astrakam. pūjayedviṣṇuṃ → pūjayet | viṣṇum. japedvai → japet | vai. bhuktimuktaye is a dvandva compound in dative singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 371 (kavaca/nyāsa/japa context); Agni Purana sections on Viṣṇu-pūjā-vidhi and mantra-kavaca
FAQs
It teaches a protective ritual sequence: applying the vyāhṛti-based kavaca, performing astra-nyāsa (weapon-mantra placement), then worshiping Viṣṇu and doing japa aimed at both protection and spiritual attainment.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of practical liturgy—kavaca, nyāsa, pūjā, and japa—presented as a structured procedure, alongside its many other domains (statecraft, medicine, warfare, poetics).
The rite is framed as yielding both bhukti (well-being/prosperity and protection in worldly life) and mukti (liberation), indicating a practice that integrates devotional merit with soteriological intent.