Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 36
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
नमो ऽन्तैश् च प्रविश्यान्तः कुर्याद् ग्रहणबन्धने ॐ हूं हां हौं हां हूं फट् शान्त्यतीतकलां गृह्णामि बध्नामि चेत्यादिमन्त्रैः कलानां ग्रहणबन्धनादिप्रयोगः पाशादीनाञ्च स्वीकारो ग्रहणं बन्धनं पुनः
namo 'ntaiś ca praviśyāntaḥ kuryād grahaṇabandhane oṃ hūṃ hāṃ hauṃ hāṃ hūṃ phaṭ śāntyatītakalāṃ gṛhṇāmi badhnāmi cetyādimantraiḥ kalānāṃ grahaṇabandhanādiprayogaḥ pāśādīnāñca svīkāro grahaṇaṃ bandhanaṃ punaḥ
Étant entré à l’intérieur (de l’espace rituel prescrit) et en concluant par la formule de salut (« namo … »), on doit accomplir le rite de « saisie et ligature » (grahaṇa–bandhana) avec le mantra : « oṃ hūṃ hāṃ hauṃ hāṃ hūṃ phaṭ ». En disant : « Je saisis ; je lie la kalā qui a dépassé l’apaisement », et par des mantras semblables—telle est l’application pour la saisie, la ligature et les opérations connexes concernant les kalā ; et l’on doit aussi, rituellement, prendre le lasso (pāśa) et les autres instruments. Ainsi, de nouveau, la saisie et la ligature sont exposées.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective and coercive ritual operation (grahaṇa–bandhana) using bīja-mantra and ritual implements (pāśa/noose etc.) to restrain a targeted kalā/force within a consecrated space.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Grahaṇa–Bandhana of Kalā with Pāśa (Seizing and Binding Rite)","lookup_keywords":["grahaṇa-bandhana","kalā","pāśa","oṃ hūṃ hāṃ hauṃ","phaṭ"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives the operational mantra and the intent-statement (“I seize, I bind…”) for a binding rite, and notes the ritual acceptance/handling of the noose and allied implements as part of the procedure."}
Concept: Mantra as operative power (śakti) for niyama/nirodha—ritual restraint and containment of subtle forces (kalā).
Application: Use of clear saṅkalpa (“I seize, I bind”) plus bīja-mantra and upacāra (pāśa) to formalize protective/controlling rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-mantra-prayoga (Grahaṇa–Bandhana and Pāśa-ādi upacāra)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a consecrated ritual enclosure, the officiant performs grahaṇa–bandhana: right hand in mantra-mudrā, a ritual noose (pāśa) and implements laid out, while the mantra ‘oṃ hūṃ hāṃ hauṃ hāṃ hūṃ phaṭ’ is invoked to seize and bind a subtle kalā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep earthy reds and greens, a Śaiva-tantric priest within a circular maṇḍala, holding a pāśa and reciting bīja-mantra, ritual implements arranged symmetrically, stylized flames and lotus motifs, sacred intensity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights, priest seated before a small altar, ornate kalaśa and pāśa rendered with gilded detailing, mantra scroll motif, strong frontal composition, rich maroons and gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading, instructional depiction of grahaṇa–bandhana: labeled implements (pāśa, flowers, thread), priest demonstrating mudrā, calm but focused ritual setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing of a ritual chamber, priest in white with rudrākṣa, delicate rendering of noose and altar objects, calligraphic mantra band, subdued palette with precise ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"forceful-protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: namo 'ntaiś = namaḥ + antaiḥ; praviśyāntaḥ treated as praviśya + antaḥ; pāśādīnām + ca → pāśādīnāñca; cetyādi- → ca + iti + ādi-; abhyarcayeddhṛdā not in this verse.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83 (pūjā-vidhi sections on rakṣā-bandhana, mantra-aṅga, sampāta-śodhana)
FAQs
It gives a concrete mantra-prayoga for grahaṇa–bandhana: using specific bīja-syllables ending in phaṭ and the verbal formula “I seize, I bind,” along with the ritual acceptance (svīkāra) of implements like the pāśa (noose).
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves operational ritual technology—mantra syntax (bīja + phaṭ), procedural cues (entering the inner space, concluding with namo), and tool-handling (pāśa-ādi)—showing the Agni Purana as a manual of applied rites as well as a Purāṇa.
The rite aims at restraint and pacification-control of disruptive forces (kalās “beyond śānti”), framing spiritual protection as disciplined ritual action: taking hold, binding, and neutralizing obstacles through mantra and sanctioned implements.