Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 1
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे अङ्गाक्षरार्चनं नाम द्व्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ त्र्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः अग्निर् उवाच मेषः संज्ञा विषं साद्यमस्ति दीर्घोदकं रसः एतत् पञ्चाक्षरं मन्त्रं शिवदञ्च शिवात्मकं
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe aṅgākṣarārcanaṃ nāma dvyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha tryadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ pañcākṣarādipūjāmantrāḥ agnir uvāca meṣaḥ saṃjñā viṣaṃ sādyamasti dīrghodakaṃ rasaḥ etat pañcākṣaraṃ mantraṃ śivadañca śivātmakaṃ
इस प्रकार आग्नेय महापुराण में ‘अङ्गाक्षरार्चन’ नामक तीन सौ दोवाँ अध्याय समाप्त हुआ। अब तीन सौ तीसरा अध्याय—‘पञ्चाक्षरादि-पूजा-मन्त्र’ आरम्भ होता है। अग्नि बोले—‘मेष’ संज्ञा है, ‘विष’ विष है, ‘साध्य’ साध्य है, ‘दीर्घोदक’ दीर्घ जल है, ‘रस’ सार है। यह पंचाक्षरी मन्त्र शिवदायक और शिवस्वरूप है।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Mantra-nyāsa/arcana framing for pañcākṣara worship, with a coded mapping of terms (meṣa, viṣa, sādhya, dīrghodaka, rasa) used as mantra-keys or limb-syllable identifiers in ritual recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pañcākṣara-mantra (Śiva) and its coded designations","lookup_keywords":["pañcākṣara","Śiva-mantra","aṅgākṣara-arcana","meṣa","dīrghodaka"],"quick_summary":"Introduces the pañcākṣara as Śiva-bestowing and Śiva-natured, alongside a set of technical designations that function as ritual/phonological keys for worship and accomplishment (sādhya)."}
Concept: Mantra as Śiva-svarūpa (of Śiva’s very nature) and as a means to attain Śiva (śivadam).
Application: Treat pañcākṣara not merely as sound but as deity-presence; use the given designations as mnemonic/ritual handles in arcana/nyāsa according to one’s paddhati.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-shastra (Shaiva Panchakshara and limb-syllable worship)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni as narrator teaching a Śaiva ritual manual; a palm-leaf manuscript open to the pañcākṣara section; a practitioner performing japa with a rudrākṣa mālā, with five syllables conceptually highlighted as luminous seeds.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Agni ṛṣi seated with flaming aura, gesturing toward a manuscript; a Śaiva devotee with rudrākṣa and vibhūti performing japa; five glowing bīja-like syllable orbs arranged in a row; earthy reds and yellows, temple-lamp ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Śiva-linga with gold foil halo; below, five embossed golden syllable-panels representing pañcākṣara; Agni depicted as teacher at the side; rich ornamentation, symmetrical devotional layout.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional composition—scribe-like clarity showing Agni teaching, the pañcākṣara written prominently, and a devotee doing nyāsa/japa; fine linework, soft colors, emphasis on legibility of mantra-structure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly assembly with Agni as a radiant sage; attendants holding manuscripts; a yogin with mālā; delicate calligraphy-like rendering of five syllables on a scroll; refined architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् आग्नेये = इति + आग्नेये; पुरतो 'rcayet (not in this verse); द्व्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः = द्व्यधिकत्रिशततमः + अध्यायः (ओऽध्यायः); त्र्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः = त्र्यधिकत्रिशततमः + अध्यायः; अग्निर् उवाच = अग्निः + उवाच; साद्यमस्ति = साद्यम् + अस्ति; शिवदञ्च = शिवदम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana ch. 302 (Aṅgākṣara-arcana); Agni Purana ch. 303 (Pañcākṣarādi-pūjāmantrāḥ)
FAQs
It introduces the Pañcākṣara-based worship-mantras and signals a nyāsa/arcana-style mapping of technical terms (e.g., Meṣa, viṣa, sādhya, dīrghodaka, rasa) used in mantra-lists for ritual application.
It exemplifies the text’s catalog-like method: chapter colophons, followed by concise mantra-taxonomies and technical glosses used in Śaiva ritual practice—one of the many practical disciplines (vidyās) compiled in the Agni Purāṇa.
By identifying the Pañcākṣara as “Śiva-bestowing” and “Śiva-natured,” the verse frames its recitation and worship-use as a direct means to Śiva’s grace, purification, and attainment of desired spiritual aims (sādhya).