Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Śānti-Śodhana-Kathana (Instruction on the Purification of Śānti) — Agni Purāṇa, Adhyāya 87
देहोत्पत्तौ हृदा पञ्च शिरसा जन्महेतवे शिखया वाधिकाराय भोगाय कवचाणुना
dehotpattau hṛdā pañca śirasā janmahetave śikhayā vādhikārāya bhogāya kavacāṇunā
Pour la manifestation du corps, (le mantra) doit être appliqué cinq fois avec le cœur ; avec la tête, pour la cause de la naissance ; avec la śikhā (touffe du sommet), pour l’autorité ; avec le mantra d’armure (kavaca), pour la jouissance légitime ; et avec le mantra d’arme (astra), pour la protection.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Aṅga-nyāsa/kavaca application mapping mantras to body-points for embodiment, authority, enjoyment within dharma, and protection—used in pūjā, japa, and homa preliminaries.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aṅga-Mantra Counts and Purposes: Hṛd–Śiras–Śikhā–Kavaca–Astra","lookup_keywords":["aṅga-nyāsa","kavaca","astra","śikhā","hṛdaya"],"quick_summary":"Assign mantras to specific limbs/points with stated aims: heart (fivefold) for body-manifestation, head for birth-causality, śikhā for authority, kavaca for sanctioned enjoyment, and astra for protection."}
Weapon Type: Astra (as protective ‘weapon-mantra’ rather than physical weapon)
Concept: Mantra is made operative through embodiment (nyāsa): specific loci and counts encode functions—generation, causality, sovereignty, lawful enjoyment, and protection.
Application: Before worship or risky rites, perform aṅga-nyāsa: repeat at heart five times, then touch head, śikhā, and apply kavaca and astra for sealing and safeguarding the practice.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agneya-vidya (Nyasa–Kavaca–Anga-mantra application)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka touches heart, head, and crown-lock in sequence, then gestures as if donning an invisible armor and casting a protective weapon-circle around the body.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic yet stylized: figure with highlighted heart (five small marks), head and śikhā emphasized, golden ‘armor’ pattern overlay, protective ring motif around the body, temple-lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central sādhaka with gold leaf armor-like embellishments, heart marked with five gold dots, radiant astra-circle around, rich ornamentation and bold colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, step-by-step instructional panels showing touches (hṛd x5, śiras, śikhā) and then kavaca overlay and astra-cast; clean lines and readable gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined figure performing nyāsa in a quiet chamber, subtle gilded aura forming an armor, circular protective motif drawn with a ritual implement, intricate textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देह + उत्पत्तौ → देहोत्पत्तौ (अ + उ = ओ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 87 (nyāsa–kavaca–aṅga-mantra section)
FAQs
It teaches a nyāsa-style application: specific mantra-placements (heart, head, śikhā, kavaca, astra) with stated purposes—body-generation/empowerment, birth-causation, authority, enjoyment, and protective sealing.
Beyond mythology, it preserves precise operational ritual technology—counts, body-loci, and functional goals—typical of the Agni Purana’s compendium of pūjā-vidhi, kavaca rites, and mantra-prayoga.
By aligning mantra with bodily loci (aṅga-nyāsa), the practitioner ritually consecrates the self, gains adhikāra (competence/empowerment), and establishes protective boundaries (kavaca/astra) believed to avert obstacles and purify action.