Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 28
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
दहन्त्वाशु रिपून् सर्वान्पताके त्वामुपाश्रिताः सर्वमेधे महायज्ञे देवदेवेन शूलिना
dahantvāśu ripūn sarvānpatāke tvāmupāśritāḥ sarvamedhe mahāyajñe devadevena śūlinā
Ô Bannière (Patākā), que tous les ennemis soient promptement brûlés—nous qui avons pris refuge en toi—comme tu fus investie de puissance au Sarvamedha, le grand yajña, par le Dieu des dieux, le Seigneur au trident.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual applications to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Patākā-rakṣā: consecration and invocation of a banner as a protective, enemy-burning power, linked to Śiva (Śūlin) and great-yajña empowerment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Patākā-śakti mantra: ripu-dahana and refuge","lookup_keywords":["pataka-mantra","ripu-dahana","sarvamedha","mahayajna","shulina"],"quick_summary":"Invokes the banner as a refuge-bearing protective force to burn enemies swiftly, grounding its authority in empowerment by the trident-bearing Lord at the Sarvamedha great sacrifice."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana and prārthanā (direct address + benediction)
Weapon Type: Śūla (trident) as divine authority; banner as battlefield standard
Concept: Śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in a consecrated symbol empowered by deity and yajña yields protective efficacy.
Application: Consecrate a banner in Śaiva context; install it in royal camp/temple precinct; recite for warding and morale before engagements.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Ritual invocations and protective formulas)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Type: Sacrificial ground (Yajña-vedi)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tall banner on a flagstaff radiates fiery energy as priests invoke it; Śiva the trident-bearer is envisioned above, and enemies are shown being scorched at the periphery.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, towering patākā with flame motifs, Śiva as Śūlin in the upper register, yajña-vedi with priests and offerings, enemies dissolving into smoke, bold traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central golden banner with embossed flames, Śiva with trident and ornate crown-like jaṭā, yajña scene below, heavy gold work and gemstone-like highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear ritual diagram feel: banner, yajña-altar, priestly gestures, subtle flames around enemies, fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, camp scene with royal standard, priests at a fire-altar, a visionary Śiva in the sky, enemies recoiling, intricate detailing of textiles and weaponry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dahantvāśu → dahantu āśu; sarvānpatāke → sarvān patāke; tvāmupāśritāḥ → tvām upāśritāḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana mantra-kalpa and rakṣā sections on standards/emblems and Śaiva empowerment
FAQs
It teaches a protective-invocation (mantra-prayoga) addressed to a consecrated banner (patākā), asking it—by the authority of a great sacrifice and a divine empowerer—to neutralize enemies swiftly.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied ritual technology: how objects (like flags/standards used in yajña, temples, or royal/military contexts) are sacralized and invoked for tangible outcomes such as protection and victory.
Taking refuge in a ritually empowered emblem links the practitioner to yajña-based merit and divine sanction, framing protection as a dharmic outcome of consecration, devotion, and sanctioned ritual power.