Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
ब्रह्मणश्चाधिपतिर्ब्रह्म शिवो मे ऽस्तु सदाशिवः ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात् ॐ अघोरेभ्यो ऽथ घोरेभ्यो धोरहरेभ्यस्तु सर्वतः
brahmaṇaścādhipatirbrahma śivo me 'stu sadāśivaḥ oṃ tatpuruṣāya vidmahe mahādevāya dhīmahi tanno rudraḥ pracodayāt oṃ aghorebhyo 'tha ghorebhyo dhoraharebhyastu sarvataḥ
Que Sadāśiva—quien es Brahmā y también el Señor (adhīpati) de Brahmā—me sea propicio como Śiva. Oṃ: Conocemos (y contemplamos) a Tatpuruṣa; meditamos en Mahādeva; que ese Rudra nos impulse (nos ilumine). Oṃ: Salutación a las formas no terribles (Aghora) y también a las terribles (Ghōra); en verdad, a quienes disipan el terror, desde todas las direcciones.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective Śaiva invocation combining Sadāśiva identification, Tatpuruṣa-gāyatrī contemplation, and directional salutations to Aghora/Ghora forms for fear-removal.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Sadāśiva Śaraṇa and Tatpuruṣa-Gāyatrī with Aghora/Ghora Dik-namaskāra","lookup_keywords":["Sadāśiva","Tatpuruṣa gāyatrī","Aghora","Ghora","protective invocation"],"quick_summary":"A Śaiva protective recitation: seek auspiciousness of Sadāśiva, meditate via Tatpuruṣa-gāyatrī, and salute Aghora and Ghora aspects in all directions for comprehensive protection."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa
Concept: Śiva as the auspicious supreme who transcends and includes Brahmā; divine contemplation (vidmahe/dhīmahi) as illumination; embracing both gentle and fierce forms for total protection.
Application: Use as daily protective prayer, before travel/ritual, or as dik-śānti invocation to stabilize mind and environment.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva Mantra and Protective Invocation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee performs Śaiva pūjā before a Sadāśiva emblem; rays of light signify ‘tannō rudraḥ pracodayāt’; around, the eight directions are guarded by Aghora/Ghora protective energies dissolving fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Sadāśiva with serene face, subtle multiple-aspect suggestion; devotee with lamp and flowers; directional guardians as stylized flames/auras labeled Aghora/Ghora; deep temple colors and rhythmic borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Sadāśiva with heavy gold halo and arch; devotee offering ārati; eight-direction motif in gold medallions; contrasting gentle Aghora and fierce Ghora icon vignettes.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional pūjā scene with clear altar items; side panels showing the Tatpuruṣa-gāyatrī text and directional salutations; refined linework and calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: shrine interior with a Śiva-liṅga or Sadāśiva symbol; devotee reciting; delicate compass-like directional diagram around the scene; calligraphy cartouches for the gāyatrī and salutations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मणश्चाधिपतिः = ब्रह्मणः + च + अधिपतिः. मे 'स्तु = मे + अस्तु. तन्नो = तत् + नः. अघोरेभ्यो ऽथ = अघोरेभ्यः + अथ. धोरहरेभ्यस्तु = घोरहरेभ्यः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (pūjā-vidhi and īśāna-mantra cluster)
FAQs
It transmits a Shaiva mantra-prayoga: identification of Sadāśiva as supreme, recitation of the Rudra-Gāyatrī (Tatpuruṣa–Mahādeva–Rudra), and a directional protective invocation to Aghora/Ghōra forms for all-around safeguarding.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical catalog of worship-technology (pujā-vidhi): it preserves canonical mantras (Gāyatrī-style) alongside protective formulas, showing how the text compiles liturgy, theology, and applied ritual into a single reference.
Meditating on Rudra through the Gāyatrī is presented as an inner illumination practice (pracodayāt), while invoking Aghora/Ghōra as “removers of terror” functions as purification and fear-dispelling protection, aligning the practitioner with Śiva’s auspicious grace.