Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
Rudra-śānti (रुद्रशान्ति)
पिशाचांशो मलाक्रान्तो मन्त्रं दद्यान्निरीक्ष्य च मन्त्र एकात् फडन्तः स्यात् विद्यापञ्चाशतावधि
piśācāṃśo malākrānto mantraṃ dadyānnirīkṣya ca mantra ekāt phaḍantaḥ syāt vidyāpañcāśatāvadhi
Si quelqu’un est affligé par une influence de piśāca et submergé par l’impureté, on doit administrer (réciter/appliquer) le mantra en observant le patient et les signes. À partir du premier mantra, il doit se clore par l’exclamation « phaṭ », jusqu’à un ensemble de cinquante vidyā-mantras.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Apotropaic/therapeutic rite for piśāca-affliction using mantra-recitation with observational diagnostics and a prescribed ‘phaṭ’ termination across a sequence of vidyā-mantras.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piśāca-doṣa śānti: mantra-application with ‘phaṭ’ ending (up to fifty vidyās)","lookup_keywords":["piśāca","mala","phaṭ","vidyā-mantra","abhicāra"],"quick_summary":"For piśāca-influence with impurity/defilement, administer mantras while observing signs; each mantra is sealed with ‘phaṭ’, proceeding through a set up to fifty vidyā-mantras."}
Concept: Mantra as protective technology: observation (nirīkṣaṇa) + recitation + sealing (phaṭ) to remove/repel negative agencies.
Application: Standardize protective rites: diagnose, purify, then apply a bounded mantra-sequence with a consistent terminal syllable.
Khanda Section: Mantra-tantra & Abhichara-prayoga (Protective/Apotropaic Rites)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist performs protective mantra-recitation over an afflicted person, observing signs; a protective gesture (mudrā) and the syllable ‘phaṭ’ depicted as a sealing burst driving away a shadowy piśāca presence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style; priest with rudrākṣa and palm-leaf manuscript, performing rakṣā-mudrā over seated afflicted person; dark piśāca silhouette recoiling; bold flat colors, temple-lamp ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold; central priest and patient, ornate ritual items (kalasha, lamp), gold aura around protective syllable ‘phaṭ’ as stylized script; rich decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting; clean instructional composition showing priest ‘observing’ (eyes focused) and reciting; subtle depiction of impurity as dark haze lifting; fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; indoor chamber with healer-priest, attendants, incense; a faint ghostly figure being expelled; detailed textiles and objects; calligraphic ‘phaṭ’ near the expelled entity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्यान्निरीक्ष्य = दद्यात् + निरीक्ष्य (त् + न → न्न). विद्यापञ्चाशतावधि = विद्या-पञ्चाशत्-आवधि (up to fifty).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 324 (Mantra-tantra/abhicāra sections)
FAQs
It prescribes a protective mantra-application for piśāca-type affliction: observe the condition/omens, recite/apply the mantra sequence, and seal each with the apotropaic syllable “phaṭ,” extending the practice through a set counted as up to fifty vidyā-mantras.
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa records practical ritual technologies—here, a concise protocol for spirit-affliction mitigation using mantra mechanics (sequence, observation, and the protective “phaṭ” closure), reflecting its compendium-like coverage of applied traditions.
The instruction frames affliction as linked with impurity (mala) and treats it through mantra-based purification and protection; using “phaṭ” functions as a ritual ‘repelling seal,’ aiming to remove harmful influences and restore ritual-spiritual cleanliness.