Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 12
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
कुड्ये फलकके वाथ शिलापट्टे हरिद्रया मुखस्तम्भं गतिस्तम्भं सैन्यस्तम्भन्तु जायते
kuḍye phalakake vātha śilāpaṭṭe haridrayā mukhastambhaṃ gatistambhaṃ sainyastambhantu jāyate
दीवार, लकड़ी के फलक अथवा शिला-पट्ट पर हल्दी से लेपन/चिह्नन करने पर ‘मुख-स्तम्भ’, ‘गति-स्तम्भ’ और ‘सैन्य-स्तम्भ’—अर्थात वाणी/मुख का अवरोध, गति का अवरोध और सेना का जड़त्व—उत्पन्न होते हैं।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Reading/avoiding inauspicious turmeric markings on building surfaces; diagnosing omen-like ‘stambha’ (obstruction) effects in a house/fort/structure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Haridrā-lepa nimitta: mukha-stambha, gati-stambha, sainya-stambha","lookup_keywords":["haridrā","kudya","śilāpaṭṭa","stambha-doṣa","vāstu nimitta"],"quick_summary":"Turmeric marking on wall/panel/stone is treated here as an inauspicious nimitta producing three kinds of ‘stambha’—speech/face obstruction, movement obstruction, and troop immobilization—hence to be avoided or countered."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: external marks on built space are read as indicators of functional obstruction and misfortune.
Application: In construction/maintenance, treat anomalous stains/markings as prompts for inspection, cleansing rites, and corrective measures before occupation or military use.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architectural omens, plastering, and auspicious markings)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wall, wooden panel, and stone slab each bear turmeric smears; three symbolic effects are shown—mouth bound (mukha-stambha), feet halted (gati-stambha), and soldiers frozen in place (sainya-stambha).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, three-panel narrative: turmeric mark on wall/panel/stone, stylized figures showing speech blocked, movement halted, and troops immobilized, bold outlines and earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on architectural surfaces, turmeric-yellow marks prominent, symbolic vignettes of halted speech and immobilized soldiers, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram-like layout labeling kudya/phalaka/śilāpaṭṭa and the three stambhas, fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard wall with yellow smear, attendants gesturing in concern, a small troop scene in background halted mid-march, detailed textures of wood and stone"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vātha → vā + atha; sainyastambhantu → sainya-stambham + tu
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (vāstu-śāstra omens and markings section)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra diagnostic: turmeric markings applied on walls/boards/stone slabs are associated with specific ‘stambha’ effects—blocking speech/face (mukha-stambha), movement (gati-stambha), and military action (sainya-stambha).
Beyond myth, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs applied sciences like Vāstu—linking materials (turmeric), surfaces (wall/wood/stone), and predicted outcomes (omens/effects), reflecting its practical, multi-disciplinary scope.
It functions as a caution about inauspicious architectural/ritual signs: improper or ominous markings are believed to manifest as ‘obstructions’ (stambha), affecting personal function (speech/mobility) and collective welfare (security/army).