Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
लौहदैत्यं स ददृशे विध्नं यज्ञे तु चिन्तयन् तस्य चिन्तयतो वह्नेः पुरुषो ऽभूद्वली महान्
lauhadaityaṃ sa dadṛśe vidhnaṃ yajñe tu cintayan tasya cintayato vahneḥ puruṣo 'bhūdvalī mahān
Tandis qu’il méditait sur l’obstruction au sacrifice, il vit un «Démon de Fer» comme empêchement dans le rite ; et, comme il y pensait ainsi, d’Agni (Vahni) surgit un Homme puissant, d’une grande vigueur.
Lord Agni (narrative voice of the Agni Purana, traditionally instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual diagnostics and countermeasure logic: identifying a vighna (obstructing entity) and invoking/manifesting a protective force from Agni to remove impediments to yajña.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Yajña-vighna: Lauha-daitya and Agni-born protector","lookup_keywords":["yajna-vighna","lauha-daitya","agni-purusha","vighna-nivarana","raksha"],"quick_summary":"Describes a ritual obstruction appearing as an ‘Iron Demon’ and the arising of a mighty Agni-born Personified force as the counteracting protector."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/Personification (puruṣa arising from fire)
Concept: Vighna is met by focused contemplation and invocation of divine śakti; fire as purifier and protector
Application: When rites face obstacles, identify the vighna and perform Agni-centered protective measures (rakṣā) with steadiness of mind
Khanda Section: Yajña-vighna-nivāraṇa (Ritual Obstruction and its Removal)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a yajña hall, an iron-bodied demon looms as an obstruction; from the sacrificial fire rises a towering Agni-born warrior-like figure, radiating heat and light, confronting the vighna.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized yajña-kuṇḍa with high flames, metallic dark daitya with iron sheen, Agni-puruṣa emerging in red-orange, bold outlines, ritual priests in the background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dramatic gold-highlighted flames, embossed ornaments on Agni-puruṣa, the iron demon rendered with dark metallic tones, strong central symmetry around the fire altar","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of yajña implements, the moment of emergence from fire shown with fine gradations, instructional composition emphasizing ‘vighna’ vs ‘rakṣā’","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior pavilion scene with detailed carpets and vessels, a smoky fire altar, a dark iron demon at one side, luminous figure rising from flames, expressive faces and gestures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"intense","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुरुषो 'भूत् = पुरुषः अभूत्; लौहदैत्यं = लौह-दैत्यम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on vighna-nivāraṇa, rakṣā, and śānti rites (same khanda vicinity)
FAQs
It conveys the ritual principle that obstacles (vighna) to a yajña can manifest as hostile forces, and that focused contemplation invoking Agni can generate a protective, personified power to counter such impediments.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual logic: identifying vighnas, recognizing their forms, and emphasizing Agni-centered protective efficacy—integrating narrative with applied yajña-procedure.
It underscores that unwavering ritual intent and Agni-devotion preserve the integrity of sacred acts; removing vighnas protects the merit (puṇya) of the sacrifice and supports purification through successfully completed rites.