Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 14
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
ऋग्भिः षोड्शभिः कुर्यादिन्द्रियस्येति दिने दिने हिरण्यस्तूपमित्येतज्जपन् शत्रून् प्रबाधते
ṛgbhiḥ ṣoḍśabhiḥ kuryādindriyasyeti dine dine hiraṇyastūpamityetajjapan śatrūn prabādhate
On doit accomplir le rite/la récitation avec seize strophes du Ṛg—selon la formule «d’Indriya»—jour après jour ; en murmurant sans cesse ce mantra commençant par «hiraṇyastūpam…», on domine et l’on terrasse les ennemis.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Daily protective japa using a fixed count of Ṛg-mantras to subdue hostility and neutralize opponents’ aggression (abhicāra-prayoga framed as apotropaic protection).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ṣoḍaśa-Ṛg-japa with “Indriyasya” and “Hiraṇyastūpam” for śatru-nigraha","lookup_keywords":["ṣoḍaśa ṛk","indriyasya","hiraṇyastūpam","japa","śatru-prabādha"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a daily regimen: recite sixteen Ṛg-verses keyed to the ‘Indriya’ formula and repeatedly mutter the ‘hiraṇyastūpam…’ mantra to overpower enemies and reduce hostile pressure."}
Concept: Nitya-japa (daily repetition) with precise mantra-count (saṅkhyā-niyama) yields protective efficacy.
Application: Adopt a consistent daily japa schedule with fixed counts and a single intended protective aim (rakṣā/śatru-śamana).
Khanda Section: Mantra-japa and Abhicara-Prayoga (Protective/Apotropaic Vedic Recitation)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated on kuśa grass with a japa-mālā, reciting sixteen Ṛg-verses; a subtle protective aura forms while hostile figures at a distance are pacified.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, a calm brāhmaṇa-sādhaka seated in padmāsana with mālā and palm-leaf manuscript, luminous mantra-halo, distant subdued enemies, stylized flames of protection, traditional flat shading and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka with ornate arch, gold-leaf halo around mantra text motif ‘hiraṇyastūpam’, rich jewel tones, small vignette of enemies rendered smaller and softened, heavy embellishment and gilded borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional composition showing count of 16 with bead-mālā, small panels indicating daily repetition, serene protective ambience, muted pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting with a learned reciter chanting from a manuscript, precise detailing of beads and gestures, enemies in the far background shown retreating, fine borders and naturalistic landscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यादिन्द्रियस्येति = कुर्यात् + इन्द्रियस्य + इति; हिरण्यस्तूपमित्येतज्जपन् = हिरण्यस्तूपम् + इति + एतत् + जपन् (एतत् + जपन् → एतज्जपन्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (mantra-japa/abhicāra-prayoga context); Agni Purana mantra-kalpa sections on śānti and rakṣā
FAQs
It prescribes a daily ritualized japa using sixteen Ṛgvedic verses connected with ‘Indriya’ and the mantra-incipit “hiraṇyastūpam…,” aimed at shatru-nigraha (overpowering adversaries).
Alongside theology and mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical mantra-procedures—counted recitations, specific Vedic verse-sets, and stated outcomes—showing its compendium-like coverage of applied ritual technology.
Daily disciplined japa is presented as a means to marshal Vedic power for protection and victory, implying purification through regulated practice and the channeling of sacred speech toward safeguarding one’s dharmic stability.