Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 46
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
तथैव भावयेदेषामधिकारं शिवाणुना भोगं कवचमन्त्रेण शस्त्रेण विषयात्मना
tathaiva bhāvayedeṣāmadhikāraṃ śivāṇunā bhogaṃ kavacamantreṇa śastreṇa viṣayātmanā
De même, on doit visualiser leur adhikāra (autorisation/compétence rituelle) au moyen du principe subtil et auspicious, śiva-aṇu. Et l’on doit visualiser le bhoga (expérience/jouissance) par le kavaca-mantra, mantra d’armure protectrice, ainsi que leur śastra (arme) comme ayant la nature même des objets des sens (viṣaya).
Lord Agni (instructor) to the sage Vasiṣṭha (listener), in the standard Agni Purana discourse frame
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Visualization protocol: confer adhikāra via śiva-aṇu, then protect and structure experience through kavaca-mantra and weapon-visualization aligned with sense-objects.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Adhikāra-Bhāvanā via Śiva-aṇu; Kavaca-Mantra and Śastra Visualization","lookup_keywords":["adhikāra","śiva-aṇu","kavaca-mantra","śastra","viṣaya-ātmana"],"quick_summary":"In mantra-prayoga, visualize empowerment/authorization through the auspicious subtle Śiva-principle, then establish protection with a kavaca-mantra and configure the ‘weapon’ as a controlled interface with sense-objects."}
Weapon Type: Śastra (visualized weapon as ritual-psychic implement)
Concept: Ritual efficacy is stabilized by (1) authorization/adhikāra, (2) protective containment (kavaca), and (3) mastery of viṣayas through a ‘weaponized’ discriminative interface.
Application: Before advanced mantra work, explicitly perform adhikāra-bhāvanā; use kavaca recitation as boundary-setting; treat sensory engagement as regulated rather than suppressed.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kavaca-prayoga (Tantric-ritual application)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka visualizes a subtle luminous ‘Śiva-aṇu’ at the core, recites a kavaca as an armor of light around the body, and holds a symbolic weapon representing disciplined contact with sense-objects.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central yogin with concentric luminous armor rings, tiny radiant bindu (śiva-aṇu) at heart, stylized weapon icon in hand, surrounding sense-objects as subdued motifs, bold sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf armor aura encircling the sādhaka, ornate kavaca script band, radiant bindu at chest, symbolic śastra with gold highlights, devotional symmetry and rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: bindu labeled śiva-aṇu, layered aura as kavaca, weapon shown as symbolic implement, muted background with icons of five senses/objects","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a quiet chamber, translucent halo layers as armor, fine detailing of a symbolic sword, marginal illustrations of sense-objects (perfume, food, music) rendered delicately"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथैव = तथा + एव; भावयेदेषामधिकारं = भावयेत् + एषाम् + अधिकारम्; शिवाणुना = शिव-अणुना; कवचमन्त्रेण = कवच-मन्त्रेण; विषयात्मना = विषय-आत्मना
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84 (mantra-kavaca-prayoga context)
FAQs
It teaches bhāvana (ritual visualization): mentally establishing (1) adhikāra/empowerment via a subtle auspicious principle (śiva-aṇu), (2) bhoga/fruition through the kavaca-mantra, and (3) the operative weapon-power (śastra) as directed toward viṣayas (targets/objects).
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—kavaca (protective mantra), mantra-weapon concepts, and structured contemplative steps (bhāvana) used in initiation-like empowerment and practical mantra practice.
By framing protection (kavaca), authorization (adhikāra), and directed power (śastra) as disciplined contemplations, it emphasizes purified intention and controlled application—minimizing harm and aligning mantra practice with auspicious (śiva) principles.