Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
अन्तर्धानकरी विद्या मोहनी जृम्भनी तथा वशन्नयति शत्रूणां शत्रुबुद्धिप्रमोहिनी
antardhānakarī vidyā mohanī jṛmbhanī tathā vaśannayati śatrūṇāṃ śatrubuddhipramohinī
Il est une Vidyā qui fait disparaître, une Vidyā mohanī qui ensorcelle, et de même une jṛmbhanī qui hébète ou paralyse ; et il est une Vidyā qui met les ennemis sous contrôle, celle qui égare et trouble l’intelligence de l’adversaire.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Catalog of occult vidyās used for concealment, enchantment, paralysis/stupefaction, and enemy-delusion in conflict or covert operations (as described in the text).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Occult Vidyās: Antardhāna, Mohanī, Jṛmbhanī, and Śatru-buddhi-pramohanī","lookup_keywords":["antardhāna-vidyā","mohanī","jṛmbhanī","śatru-vaśa","buddhi-pramohana"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates specialized tantric ‘vidyās’ for invisibility, enchantment, immobilization, and deluding an enemy’s intellect—framing them as distinct operational powers."}
Concept: Instrumental knowledge (vidyā) categorized by effect; power is treated as modular and goal-directed.
Application: As an index for practitioners/readers: identifies functional classes of prayoga to be sought in fuller manuals/chapters.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra Vidya (Occult sciences and magical rites)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four symbolic panels: a figure vanishing (antardhāna), an enchanted target (mohanī), a frozen/paralyzed foe (jṛmbhanī), and an enemy commander confused amid swirling illusion (buddhi-pramohana).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: narrative frieze with four compartments, bold outlines and earthy pigments; illusion motifs as swirling vines/smoke; enemies shown with bewildered expressions; ritualist in corner invoking vidyā.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: four medallions with gold borders; each effect iconized—vanishing silhouette, enthralled gaze, stiffened posture, confused mind-cloud; rich jewel tones and gilded ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional storyboard with captions for each vidyā; clear gestures and outcomes; refined linework and soft color washes emphasizing didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: sequential scenes in a palace/battle-camp setting; subtle visual metaphors for invisibility and delusion; intricate textiles and expressive faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वशन्नयति = वशम् + नयति (अनुस्वार/नकारसन्धिः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (tantric prayoga continuation; vidyā lists)
FAQs
It catalogs specific esoteric Vidyās (mantra-based siddhis): antardhāna (concealment/invisibility), mohana (enchantment/delusion), jṛmbhaṇā (stupefaction/paralysis), and vaśīkaraṇa-like control that confuses an enemy’s intellect.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves technical lists of applied knowledge—here, mantra-tantra categories of siddhi used for protection, strategy, and coercive control—showing its wide scope across practical and esoteric disciplines.
Such Vidyās are traditionally treated as powerful, intention-sensitive practices: used defensively they are framed as protective arts, but coercive use (delusion/subjugation) is commonly cautioned as karmically binding and ethically risky without dhārmic restraint and proper initiation.