Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 76 — चण्डपूजाकथनम्
Narration of the Worship of Caṇḍa/Caṇḍeśa
चण्डस्त्राय तथा हूं फट् चण्डं रुद्राग्निजं स्मरेत् शूलटङ्कधरं कृष्णं साक्षसूत्रकण्डलुं
caṇḍastrāya tathā hūṃ phaṭ caṇḍaṃ rudrāgnijaṃ smaret śūlaṭaṅkadharaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ sākṣasūtrakaṇḍaluṃ
Qu’on emploie le mantra : «(hommage) à Caṇḍāstra—hūṃ phaṭ», et qu’on médite sur Caṇḍa, né de Rudra et d’Agni : de teint sombre, portant le trident et le tanka (hache/pic), et tenant un rosaire et un kamaṇḍalu (vase d’eau).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Use Caṇḍāstra mantra (hūṃ phaṭ) for protective deployment and perform devatā-dhyāna with clear iconographic markers (color, weapons, implements, origin) to stabilize visualization and ritual efficacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Caṇḍa-dhyāna with Caṇḍāstra mantra (hūṃ phaṭ)","lookup_keywords":["Caṇḍāstra","dhyāna","Rudrāgni-ja","śūla","ṭaṅka"],"quick_summary":"Recite the Caṇḍāstra mantra ‘hūṃ phaṭ’ and meditate on Caṇḍa as Rudra-Agni-born, dark, holding trident and pick/hatchet, with rosary and water-pot—an iconography that anchors protective power."}
Weapon Type: Trident (śūla) and pick/hatchet (ṭaṅka) as weapons; ‘astra’ deployed via mantra
Concept: Dhyāna-lakṣaṇa: precise visualization (color, weapons, implements, lineage) is itself a technology for invoking and directing śakti; mantra and form are mutually reinforcing.
Application: For protective rites, pair astric syllables (hūṃ phaṭ) with stable iconographic meditation to reduce distraction and strengthen the intended protective boundary.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi and Devata-dhyana (Tantric/Agamic ritual applications)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dark-hued fierce guardian deity Caṇḍa, born of Rudra and Agni, stands with trident and pick/hatchet, holding rosary and water-pot; a mantra ‘Caṇḍāstra hūṃ phaṭ’ radiates as a protective flare around him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, black/dark-blue Caṇḍa with four arms, śūla and ṭaṅka raised, akṣamālā and kamaṇḍalu held calmly, fiery Rudra-Agni aura behind, bold flat colors, red ‘hūṃ phaṭ’ glyphs as flame motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Caṇḍa with gold halo and embossed ornaments, trident and pick rendered with gold highlights, rosary and water-pot detailed, background flames for Agni, rich reds/greens, mantra ribbon ‘hūṃ phaṭ’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, iconography-focused depiction with clear attributes and balanced posture, subtle shading, labeled implements (śūla, ṭaṅka, akṣasūtra, kamaṇḍalu), calm but powerful protective aura.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fierce deity in a landscaped setting with stylized flames behind, detailed weapons and accessories, fine textile patterns, calligraphic ‘hūṃ phaṭ’ in the air, delicate color gradations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चण्डस्त्राय = चण्ड-अस्त्राय; रुद्राग्निजं = रुद्र-अग्नि-जम्; शूलटङ्कधरं = शूल-टङ्क-धरम्; साक्षसूत्रकण्डलुं = स + अक्ष-सूत्र + कण्डलुम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 76.6–76.7 (invocation and nyāsa precede dhyāna/astric deployment)
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-weapon application (Caṇḍāstra) using the bīja “hūṁ” and the striking command “phaṭ,” together with a precise dhyāna (visualization) of the presiding fierce form (Caṇḍa) for protective/repelling rites.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—mantra syntax, bīja usage, and iconographic specifications (weapons, color, implements)—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical Agamic/Tantric procedure alongside broader dharma and lore.
The combination of mantra and dhyāna is presented as a purificatory and protective discipline: it focuses the mind, wards hostile influences/obstacles, and aligns the practitioner with a fierce dharmic force used for safeguarding sacred practice.