Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 1
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
चत्वार्तिंशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः उभयोरित्यादिः, स्वयं व्रजेदित्यन्तः पाठः ज पुस्तके नास्ति बलोत्करमिति ग , घ , ज , ञ च अथ चत्वारिंशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः समादिः राम उवाच प्रभवोत्साहशक्तिभ्यां मन्त्रशक्तिः प्रशस्यते प्रभावोत्साहवान् काव्यो जितो देवपुरोधसा
catvārtiṃśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ ubhayorityādiḥ, svayaṃ vrajedityantaḥ pāṭhaḥ ja pustake nāsti balotkaramiti ga , gha , ja , ña ca atha catvāriṃśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ samādiḥ rāma uvāca prabhavotsāhaśaktibhyāṃ mantraśaktiḥ praśasyate prabhāvotsāhavān kāvyo jito devapurodhasā
Chapitre 240 (240.1), note de leçon : le chapitre deux-cent-quarantième commence par « ubhayor… » et s’achève par « svayaṃ vrajet » ; cette leçon n’est pas dans le manuscrit J. La leçon « balotkaram » se trouve dans G, Gh, J, Ñ. Puis le chapitre s’ouvre ainsi : Rāma dit : Entre deux puissances—l’efficacité (prabhāva) et l’ardeur/énergie personnelle (utsāha)—la puissance des mantras (mantra-śakti) est louée. Même un poète pourvu d’efficacité et d’énergie fut jadis vaincu par le chapelain des dieux.
Rama
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Literary theory and rhetorical pedagogy: distinguishes types of śakti (power) and elevates mantra-śakti; useful for poets, ritualists, and teachers to frame efficacy beyond mere talent.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mantra-śakti versus Prabhāva and Utsāha in Kāvyashāstra","lookup_keywords":["kāvya-śakti","prabhāva","utsāha","mantra-śakti","deva-purohita"],"quick_summary":"Among ‘efficacy’ (prabhāva) and ‘energy/effort’ (utsāha), mantric power is praised as superior; even a capable poet can be overcome by the gods’ chaplain—signaling the primacy of mantra over mere literary prowess."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa (supporting statement)
Concept: Mantra as a distinct, superior efficacy compared to natural talent and effort
Application: For success in contested domains (debate, poetry, ritual, protection), cultivate disciplined mantra practice alongside skill and exertion.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-shakti, poetic power and rhetoric)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma instructs on powers of poetry and mantra; a symbolic vignette shows a confident poet subdued by the gods’ chaplain through mantra, illustrating mantra-śakti’s supremacy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Rāma seated as teacher with palm-leaf manuscript; beside him a divine chaplain chanting with ritual fire and ladle; a poet figure shown humbled; bold outlines, traditional temple palette, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Rāma as regal instructor with gold halo; deva-purohita performing mantra near a small homa-kunda with gold highlights; poet with veena or manuscript shown subdued; rich gold embossing and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: classroom-like scene—Rāma explaining ‘prabhāva, utsāha, mantra-śakti’ with labeled scrolls; secondary vignette of purohita chanting; delicate shading and clarity for instructional emphasis.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined courtly lesson with Rāma and scholars; in a side panel, a Brahmin chaplain performs mantra with fire altar; poet’s pride dissolves; intricate textiles, architecture, and fine facial detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ’ध्यायः = अध्यायः (अ-लोपः/अवग्रह); उभयोरित्यादिः = उभयोः इति आदिः; व्रजेदित्यन्तः = व्रजेत् इति अन्तः; प्रभवोत्साहशक्तिभ्याम् = प्रभव-उत्साह-शक्तिभ्याम्; मन्त्रशक्तिः = मन्त्र-शक्तिः; प्रभावोत्साहवान् = प्रभाव-उत्साह-वान्; देवपुरोधसा = देव-पुरोधसा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana chapters on alaṅkāra and kāvya-lakṣaṇa (poetic theory); Agni Purana mantra/stotra sections emphasizing mantra-phala and purohita functions
FAQs
It asserts a hierarchy of efficacies: among (inherent) prabhāva and (personal) utsāha, mantra-śakti is especially authoritative—implying ritual speech (mantra) can surpass mere literary or personal prowess.
It shows the text treating Sanskrit poetics (kāvya) alongside mantra-theory, blending aesthetic doctrine with ritual-religious power—typical of the Agni Purana’s multi-disciplinary coverage.
It emphasizes reliance on sanctioned sacred utterance (mantra) as a superior means to effect outcomes, suggesting spiritual discipline and correct ritual speech carry greater transformative merit than talent alone.