Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 30
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
प्रथमञ्चान्ततो योज्यं क्षपणं दशवीजकम् अस्यार्धं तृतीयञ्चैव पञ्चमं सप्तमं तथा
prathamañcāntato yojyaṃ kṣapaṇaṃ daśavījakam asyārdhaṃ tṛtīyañcaiva pañcamaṃ saptamaṃ tathā
પ્રથમ વર્ણને અંતે જોડવું; પછી ‘ક્ષપણ’ નામક દશ-બીજકનું સંયોજન કરવું. આ સૂત્રનો અર્ધભાગ તૃતીય, પંચમ અને સપ્તમ પ્રસંગે પણ એ જ રીતે વિનિયોજિત કરવો।
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bīja-mantra construction rule: repositioning the first syllable to the end, adding a kṣapaṇa component, and applying a daśa-bīja formula; then using half-formula variants for specified cases (3rd/5th/7th).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daśa-bīja kṣapaṇa formula: ending-placement of first varṇa; half-application for 3rd/5th/7th","lookup_keywords":["daśa-bīja","kṣapaṇa","bīja-yoga","mantra-vidhi","half-formula"],"quick_summary":"Construct the mantra by moving the first syllable to the end and inserting the kṣapaṇa element as a ten-bīja structure; for the third, fifth, and seventh instances, apply only the half-portion of that structure."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy is treated as a technical science: permutation (yoga) and modular application (half-formula) govern prayoga.
Application: When following this paddhati, keep a written schematic of syllable order; apply full daśa-bīja only where prescribed and half-structure for the 3rd/5th/7th to maintain textual fidelity and avoid prayoga-doṣa.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Tantric/Bīja-mantra construction and japa procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic mantra-diagram: syllables arranged in a sequence line, the first moved to the end, a highlighted ‘kṣapaṇa’ module inserted, and a bracket showing ‘half’ application for 3rd/5th/7th cases; a teacher instructs a student-sādhaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and disciple seated, palm-leaf manuscript with bold glyph blocks, decorative arrows showing syllable movement, warm earthy palette, stylized flame motifs for bīja power","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, guru before a gilded manuscript stand, gold-highlighted bīja blocks, ornate frame, clear depiction of rearranged syllable chain with kṣapaṇa module emphasized","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, highly instructional chart-like painting: clean arrows, brackets labeled ‘ardha’, sequence markers for 1st/3rd/5th/7th, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar’s workshop with diagrams on paper, fine calligraphy of bījas, teacher pointing with a stylus, subtle color palette and detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prathamañcāntato → prathamam + ca + antataḥ; tṛtīyañcaiva → tṛtīyam + ca + eva
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (continuation of bīja/varṇa prayoga rules; links to 316.26–316.29 nyāsa context)
FAQs
It teaches a specific rule for constructing/arranging a bīja-mantra: placing the first element at the end, adding a ‘kṣapaṇa’ component, and applying a half-form of that rule for certain numbered variants (3rd, 5th, 7th).
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana preserves compact technical manuals—here, a procedural mnemonic for mantra-racana (mantra construction), reflecting its wide coverage of ritual technology alongside other sciences.
Correct mantra formation is treated as essential for efficacy and purification: precise arrangement and prescribed components are understood to remove obstacles (kṣapaṇa) and ensure the intended ritual/spiritual result.