Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
चटशब्दं द्विधा कृत्वा ततः प्रवरमुच्चरेत् दहेति च द्विधा कार्यं वमेति च द्विधा गतम्
caṭaśabdaṃ dvidhā kṛtvā tataḥ pravaramuccaret daheti ca dvidhā kāryaṃ vameti ca dvidhā gatam
Après avoir scindé en deux le son-mantra « caṭa », on doit ensuite prononcer « pravara » (le principal, l’excellent). De même, « dahe » doit être traité en deux, et « vame » est également compris comme double dans son emploi.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing a sage (commonly Vasiṣṭha in framing tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Bīja-mantra manipulation: splitting specific mantric words (‘caṭa’, ‘dahe’, ‘vame’) into two operational units for prayoga—often for directing, cutting, burning, or reversing effects in ritual action.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvidhā-karaṇa of Caṭa/Dahe/Vame in Bīja-prayoga","lookup_keywords":["caṭa","dahe","vame","dvidhā-kṛ","bīja-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Certain operative mantra-words are to be applied in a twofold manner—split and used as paired units—before uttering the principal (pravara) form, indicating controlled modular deployment in ritual."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic patterning)
Concept: Mantra as a structured technology: segmentation (pada/akṣara-bheda) is itself a rule of efficacy, not mere pronunciation detail.
Application: Follow the prescribed twofold application exactly (counts/placements), as these words are ‘kriyā-bīja’ (action-seeds) whose force is altered by splitting and repetition.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya / Tantra (Bija-mantra and phonetic ritual operations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript-like instructional scene showing the words ‘caṭa’, ‘dahe’, ‘vame’ each split into two parts with arrows, followed by a highlighted ‘pravara’ utterance; a practitioner points to the segments while preparing ritual implements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized palm-leaf manuscript with segmented syllables, priest-teacher gesturing, ritual fire and implements faintly in background, earthy palette and decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted syllable segments on a manuscript panel, priest with stylized rosary, ornate frame, minimal deity presence—focus on sacred script and ritual authority","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic diagram: three rows (caṭa/dahe/vame) each split into two blocks, arrows to ‘pravara’, neat calligraphy and soft colors, classroom-like setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scribe and practitioner over an open folio with segmented mantra words, fine calligraphy, small ritual tray with incense, architectural niche background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रवरमुच्चरेत् = प्रवरम् + उच्चरेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.4; Agni Purana 317.6; Agni Purana bīja and prayoga discussions in the same mantra-vidhi section
FAQs
It teaches a phonetic/mantric operation: certain seed-like utterances (caṭa, dahe, vame) are to be split and applied in a twofold manner, with emphasis on pronouncing the principal (pravara) form correctly.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical ritual-technology—precise rules for mantra handling and pronunciation—showing the text’s coverage of applied disciplines such as mantra-śāstra and tantric ritual procedure.
Correct mantra-phonetics is traditionally held to be essential for efficacy (siddhi) and purification; the verse frames accuracy in utterance as a prerequisite for the intended transformative or protective ritual result.