Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
लक्ष्मीश्लोकं शिवादौ च राक्षसादिक्रमाल्लिखेत् श्रीःसाममोमा सा श्रीः सानौ याज्ञे ज्ञेया नौसा
lakṣmīślokaṃ śivādau ca rākṣasādikramāllikhet śrīḥsāmamomā sā śrīḥ sānau yājñe jñeyā nausā
On écrira le verset de Lakṣmī, en commençant par le mot « Śiva », selon la suite qui débute par « Rākṣasa » et ainsi de suite. Dans cette formule, « Śrīḥ » doit être compris comme « Sāma » ; « Omā » est ce même « Śrīḥ » ; et, dans le contexte du yajña, il doit être connu comme « Sā-nau » (aussi lu « Nau-sā »).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual/auspicious formulae)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Mantra-lekhana of a Lakshmi-related verse/formula with specified starting word and coded/technical identifications of syllables/terms for correct ritual usage.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Lakṣmī-śloka lekhana: sequence and coded identifications (Śrī/Sāma/Omā)","lookup_keywords":["Lakṣmī-śloka","mantra-lekhana","Śrīḥ","Sāma","Omā"],"quick_summary":"Inscribe the Lakṣmī-verse in the prescribed order and understand the technical equivalences (e.g., Śrīḥ as Sāma; Omā as that Śrīḥ) used for ritual encoding and correct recitation/inscription."}
Concept: Mantric language can be ‘encoded’ through equivalences (saṃjñā/rahasya) to preserve potency and ensure correct prayoga.
Application: When copying/inscribing stotra-mantras, follow the stated krama (sequence) and the tradition’s technical identifications of key words to avoid prayoga-bheda (ritual deviation).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-lekhana (Lakshmi-stotra and auspicious mantra-inscription practices)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-priest writes a Lakṣmī-verse on a ritual sheet, with marginal notes indicating equivalences like ‘Śrīḥ = Sāma’ and ‘Omā = Śrīḥ’, while a small Lakṣmī altar with lotus and lamps stands nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Lakṣmī shrine in background, priest inscribing a stotra on palm-leaf, annotated equivalences in stylized script, lotus motifs, warm lamp glow, traditional border patterns","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Lakṣmī seated on lotus with gold leaf halo, foreground shows manuscript being inscribed ‘Lakṣmī-śloka’, gold detailing on manuscript edges and lamps, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional manuscript scene: clear Devanagari lines, side-notes ‘Śrīḥ—Sāma’, ‘Omā—Śrīḥ’, neat ritual desk with ink and stylus, calm devotional ambience","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar in courtly setting writing a Sanskrit verse, fine calligraphy, marginal glosses showing equivalences, small Lakṣmī icon on a stand, intricate textiles and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राक्षसादिक्रमाल्लिखेत् → राक्षसादिक्रमात् + लिखेत्; श्रीःसाममोमा → श्रीः + सामम् + उमा (mantra-string, internal sandhi/concatenation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (Lakṣmī-stotra/mantra inscription context)
FAQs
It teaches a practical mantra-lekhana (ritual writing/inscription) rule: how to write a Lakṣmī-verse beginning with “Śiva,” following a specified ordered sequence, and how to recognize alternate phonetic segmentations (sā-nau / nau-sā) used in yajña-context recitation.
Beyond theology, it preserves technical ritual details—mantra inscription order, recitational parsing, and Vedic associations (Śrī identified with Sāma)—showing the text’s coverage of applied liturgy, phonetics, and ritual procedure.
Correct writing and understanding of Śrī/Lakṣmī formulas is treated as an auspicious act that supports prosperity and ritual efficacy; accuracy in mantra form and segmentation is traditionally linked with purity of rite and the intended merit (puṇya) of worship.