Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 29
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
शर्वेण जगतश् चैव सारेण त्वं विनिर्मितः नन्दकस्यापरां मूर्तिं स्मर शत्रुनिवर्हण
śarveṇa jagataś caiva sāreṇa tvaṃ vinirmitaḥ nandakasyāparāṃ mūrtiṃ smara śatrunivarhaṇa
Tu as été façonné par Śarva, et par l’essence même de l’univers. Ô destructeur des ennemis, souviens-toi (en contemplation) de l’autre forme de Nandaka.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in mantra-prayoga style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Protective invocation identifying the empowered object/agent as fashioned by Śarva and cosmic essence; contemplative remembrance (smara) of Nandaka’s ‘other form’ for enemy-destruction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Śarva-kṛta rakṣā-sādhana and Nandaka-mūrti-smaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["Sarva-nirmita","sara-jagat","Nandaka-murti","shatru-nivarhana","raksha-prayoga"],"quick_summary":"Declares the protective agent as made by Śarva and the universe’s essence, then instructs remembrance of Nandaka’s further form as an enemy-destroying contemplation."}
Alamkara Type: Tattva-udghoṣa (declarative identification) + sambodhana
Weapon Type: Sword (Nandaka)
Concept: Dhyāna (smaraṇa) of a consecrated divine weapon-form channels protective power; the object is grounded in cosmic ‘sāra’.
Application: During rakṣā-prayoga, visualize Nandaka in its ‘other’ form while reciting; treat the emblem/weapon as divinely empowered for warding enemies.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-prayoga (Protective invocation and deity-identification)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecrated sword-form (Nandaka) appears as a radiant anthropomorphic weapon-deity; Śiva (Śarva) is shown as the empowering artisan/cosmic source, while enemies are symbolically restrained or dispersed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, anthropomorphic sword-deity with halo, Śarva in the background bestowing power, ritual setting with lamps, enemies fading at the edges, bold outlines and traditional ornaments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Nandaka as radiant sword with gold embossing, Śiva as Śarva above or beside, rich jewelry and gold leaf, protective aura encircling devotees","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean visualization-focused composition: Nandaka mūrti with labeled attributes, priest/adept in dhyāna posture, subtle cosmic ‘sāra’ motifs, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, mystical workshop/court scene where Śarva empowers a jeweled sword, the sword shown with a luminous presence, enemies in the distance subdued, intricate detailing and refined palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jagataś caiva → jagataḥ ca eva; nandakasyāparām → nandakasya aparām; śatrunivarhaṇa → śatru-nivarhaṇa
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on āyudha-devatā visualization, rakṣā-mantras, and Śaiva/Vaiṣṇava syncretic identifications
FAQs
It teaches mantra-prayoga through dhāraṇā: identifying a protective power as universe-essence, then invoking/meditating on Nandaka’s “other form” for enemy-subduing protection.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual technology—linking theology (Śiva/Śarva, cosmic essence) with applied spiritual practice (weapon-deity contemplation) used for protection and victory.
Meditating on a divine weapon-form as a manifestation of cosmic essence is presented as a purifying, protective act that strengthens dharma and removes hostile forces (inner and outer) through sacred remembrance.