Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 20
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
मन्त्रन्दद्यात् सुसिद्धौ तु सहस्रं देशिकं जपेत् यदृच्छया श्रुतं मन्त्रं छलेनाथ बलेन वा
mantrandadyāt susiddhau tu sahasraṃ deśikaṃ japet yadṛcchayā śrutaṃ mantraṃ chalenātha balena vā
मंत्र जब भलीभाँति सिद्ध हो जाए तभी उसे दिया जाए; और शिष्य गुरु (देशिक) के अधीन उसका हजार बार जप करे। पर जो मंत्र संयोग से—छल से अथवा बलपूर्वक—सुना गया हो, वह विधिवत् प्राप्त नहीं माना जाता।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Protocol for legitimate mantra transmission: only after siddhi/verification, with supervised japa-count; rejection of illicitly obtained mantras to preserve efficacy and ethics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mantra-dāna and proper reception (siddha-mantra transmission)","lookup_keywords":["mantra-dīkṣā","siddha-mantra","sahasra-japa","deśika-adhikāra","anadhikṛta-śravaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Transmit a mantra only when it is proven (siddha) and have the disciple perform a supervised thousandfold japa. A mantra heard accidentally, by deceit, or by coercion is not considered properly received."}
Concept: Mantra-śakti depends on adhikāra, sampradāya, and disciplined repetition; illegitimate acquisition breaks the sādhanā-chain.
Application: Adopt a lineage-based initiation rule: teacher verifies practice-results, then grants mantra; student completes a fixed japa quota under guidance and avoids unauthorized listening/recording.
Khanda Section: Mantra-dīkṣā and Japa-vidhi (Tantric/Vaidika Mantra Discipline)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru formally transmitting a mantra to a kneeling disciple; the disciple then performs counted japa with a mālā under the guru’s supervision; in contrast, a shadowy figure eavesdrops to show improper hearing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, initiation scene with guru touching disciple’s head/ear, mālā and kamaṇḍalu present, calm sacred fire nearby, a faint eavesdropper silhouette at edge, traditional flat color fields.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dīkṣā moment with gold halo and ornate borders, mālā beads highlighted with gold, disciple seated for sahasra-japa, sanctified ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic composition: panel 1 mantra-giving, panel 2 counted japa (1000) with tally marks, panel 3 warning against illicit hearing; fine lines and labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate teacher-disciple scene in a study room with manuscripts, disciple counting beads, subtle narrative of an eavesdropper behind a screen, detailed textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रन्दद्यात् → मन्त्रं दद्यात्; छलेनाथ → छलेन अथ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292.21-292.22 (mantra-sādhana efficacy)
FAQs
It lays down mantra-discipline: a mantra should be transmitted only when it is siddha (proven/fully accomplished), and the disciple should perform a prescribed japa-count (here, one thousand) under the teacher’s sanctioned instruction; mantras heard casually or obtained by deceit/force are not considered properly received.
Beyond mythology, it codifies practical ritual protocol—rules of mantra reception, teacher-student authority, and ethical constraints—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied religious technology (mantra-śāstra) alongside other sciences.
It emphasizes purity of lineage and intention: mantra-power is tied to authorized transmission and disciplined practice, while mantras acquired through coercion or deception are treated as spiritually invalid and potentially karmically harmful.