Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 18
Pañcāṅga-Rudra-vidhāna
The Fivefold Rudra Rite
अयमेव तु पञ्चाङ्गो मन्त्रः सर्वार्थसाधकः द्वादशाष्टाक्षरौ मन्त्रौ विषव्याधिविमर्दनौ
ayameva tu pañcāṅgo mantraḥ sarvārthasādhakaḥ dvādaśāṣṭākṣarau mantrau viṣavyādhivimardanau
Ceci est, en vérité, le mantra à cinq membres, capable d’accomplir tous les buts. Les mantras de douze syllabes et de huit syllabes sont, eux aussi, destructeurs de poison et de maladie.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Classification and selection of mantras (pañcāṅga, dvādaśākṣara, aṣṭākṣara) for general siddhi and specifically for viṣa/roga-śamana (poison and disease mitigation) in rakṣā and mantra-cikitsā contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pañcāṅga-Mantra and Aṣṭākṣara/Dvādaśākṣara as Viṣa-Roga Vimardana","lookup_keywords":["panchanga-mantra","ashtakshara","dvadasakshara","vishavyadhi","raksha"],"quick_summary":"Defines a ‘five-limbed’ mantra as universally goal-accomplishing and notes that the 12- and 8-syllable mantras function as antidotes to poison and disease in mantra-therapy."}
Concept: Mantra as upāya (instrumental knowledge): structured mantra-forms (aṅga, akṣara-count) are presented as functionally efficacious for specific ends (sarvārtha; viṣa/roga).
Application: Choose mantra-form by intended prayojana: general siddhi vs. viṣa/roga pacification; maintain disciplined japa and ritual purity per tradition.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Raksha-Mantra, Aushadha-prayoga / Protective and therapeutic mantra section)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-sage instructs disciples on mantra taxonomy: pañcāṅga structure and the 8- and 12-syllable mantras used for poison/disease destruction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a guru in a temple mandapa pointing to palm-leaf manuscript diagrams of ‘pañcāṅga’ and akṣara-count, with a patient protected by a mantra-circle, earthy pigments and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore panel: seated ācārya with gold-leaf halo, palm-leaf manuscript showing ‘8’ and ‘12’ akṣara marks, small vignette of poison being dispelled, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: clean composition with labeled mantra parts (aṅga), akṣara-count grid, healer performing japa beside a patient, delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature classroom scene: scholar demonstrating syllable-count on a scroll, attendants, a small symbolic serpent/poison motif fading, fine architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वादशाष्टाक्षरौ = द्वादशाक्षरौ + अष्टाक्षरौ (द्वन्द्व, द्विवचन).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 295 (raksha-mantra set); Agni Purana 296 (mantra-chikitsa for visha)
FAQs
It classifies a “five-limbed” (pañcāṅga) mantra as universally goal-accomplishing and highlights the practical protective use of the twelve-syllabled and eight-syllabled mantras for counteracting poison and disease.
By placing mantra-technology alongside health concerns (poisoning and illness), it shows the Agni Purana’s cross-disciplinary approach—ritual science and therapeutic protection presented together as applied knowledge.
The verse frames mantra-practice as both a means to protect life (removing विष and व्याधि) and a dharmic, purificatory discipline—seeking welfare while aligning the practitioner with sacred sound and disciplined recitation.