Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
पाशानायुधमन्त्रेण सप्रवाराभिजप्तया छिन्द्यादस्त्रेण कर्तर्या कलावीजयुजा यथा
pāśānāyudhamantreṇa sapravārābhijaptayā chindyādastreṇa kartaryā kalāvījayujā yathā
Après avoir dûment investi de puissance, par la récitation du mantra de l’arme Pāśa avec sa formule de Pravara, on tranchera le lien/l’obstacle au moyen de l’arme Tranchante (Kartarī-astra), selon la règle prescrite, en employant le Kalā-bīja.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Astra-mantra prayoga to sever ritual/psychic bonds: empower the act with Pāśa-āyudha-mantra plus pravara, then cut using Kartarī-astra with the Kalā-bīja as the operative seed-syllable.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pāśa-āyudha-mantra + Pravara with Kartarī-astra cutting using Kalā-bīja","lookup_keywords":["pāśa-mantra","pravara","kartarī-astra","kalā-bīja","bandha-ccheda"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes a stepwise weapon-mantra operation: mantra-empowerment with pravara, then bond-cutting via the Cutter-astra, energized by the Kalā seed-syllable."}
Weapon Type: Astra (Pāśāyudha; Kartarī-astra)
Concept: Obstruction/bondage is treated as a 'knot' removable by focused will (saṅkalpa) channeled through mantra and symbolic weaponry; bīja functions as condensed power (śakti-saṅkoca).
Application: In ritual or meditative practice, use a clear three-step protocol—consecrate, invoke, sever—to address recurring obstacles (habit-bonds) with disciplined repetition and visualization.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Astra-Mantra-Prayoga (Weapon-mantras and cutting/neutralizing rites)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual-martial tableau: the practitioner invokes a noose-weapon mantra, then manifests a luminous scissor/knife-like Kartarī-astra to cut dark cords (pāśas) around a subtle body or around a symbolic bound figure; Kalā-bīja glows at the blade’s center.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized astral weapon forms: a glowing noose and a radiant cutter, cords depicted as serpentine bands being severed, bold outlines, sacred fire or yantra in background, Devanāgarī bīja near the weapon.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate astras with gold foil, Kartarī-astra like jeweled scissors/knife, severed bonds shown as broken golden-black cords, central bīja in embossed gold, devotional framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration feel: labeled 'Pāśa-mantra', 'Pravara', 'Kartarī-astra', 'Kalā-bīja', step arrows showing sequence, clean composition and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dynamic but refined scene: practitioner in courtly attire performing a ritual gesture, luminous weapon forms hovering, cords snapping with delicate linework, architectural backdrop with patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pāśānāyudhamantreṇa = pāśāna-āyudha-mantreṇa; sapravārābhijaptayā = sa + pravāra + abhijaptayā; chindyādastreṇa = chindyāt + astreṇa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (astra-mantra and pāśa-viyojana sequence)
FAQs
It teaches an astra-mantra application: empower the act through japa of the Pāśa weapon-mantra with pravara, then perform a ‘cutting/severing’ operation using the Kartari-astra, employing the Kalā-bīja as the key seed-syllable.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana preserves practical, systematized instructions for mantra-weapon techniques (astra-prayoga), blending ritual theory (pravara, bīja) with applied martial/occult procedure—one of the text’s hallmark encyclopedic domains.
The rite is framed as a dharmically regulated means to remove binding obstacles (pāśa) through authorized mantra-procedure; correct use emphasizes purification and controlled restraint, while implying that power must be exercised only according to prescribed rule (vidhi).