Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 7
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
प्रस्तावक्रमयोगेन प्रस्तावं यस्तु विन्दति करमुष्टिस्थितास्तस्य साधकस्य हि सिद्धयः
prastāvakramayogena prastāvaṃ yastu vindati karamuṣṭisthitāstasya sādhakasya hi siddhayaḥ
जो व्यक्ति प्रस्ताव (आरम्भ-भाग) के उचित क्रम-विधान से प्रस्ताव को प्राप्त/रच लेता है, उस साधक की सिद्धियाँ मानो उसकी मुट्ठी में स्थित हो जाती हैं।
Lord Agni (in dialogue narration to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Guiding composition: mastering the prastāva (opening) through correct sequencing so the work’s intent, tone, and audience-grip are secured from the start.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Prastāva-krama (Proper Sequencing of the Opening Section)","lookup_keywords":["prastāva","krama","kāvya-racana","sādhaka-siddhi","sāhitya-śāstra"],"quick_summary":"If the composer applies the correct order in crafting the prastāva, success in the work follows readily—‘as if in the palm of the hand’—because the opening fixes direction, rasa, and coherence."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta/Atiśayokti (success ‘in the palm’ as emphatic illustration)
Concept: Siddhi arises from krama (right sequence) and abhyāsa (disciplined practice), not from impulse.
Application: Draft openings with a fixed order: topic-signal, intent, auspicious framing, and audience orientation before elaboration.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara: composition-methods and poetic technique)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet-teacher instructs a student, pointing to a manuscript where the prastāva is arranged in ordered steps; the student’s hand holds the completed opening confidently.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style classroom scene, guru-poet with palm-leaf manuscript, student seated, the word ‘prastāva’ highlighted on a stylized folio, restrained palette and temple-like borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, poet-sage with gold halo-like ornamentation, palm-leaf manuscript with ornate initial lines, gold detailing on the opening section, rich textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, fine-lined instructional vignette: sequential panels showing prastāva steps (invocation, theme, promise), calm scholarly ambience.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a literary salon, poet presenting the opening verses to patrons, delicate calligraphy, gestures indicating ‘sequence’, refined interior setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yastu → yaḥ tu; karamuṣṭisthitāstasya → kara-muṣṭi-sthitāḥ tasya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sāhitya/alaṅkāra portions on kāvya-aṅgas, doṣa-guṇa, and racanā-krama
FAQs
It teaches a technical rule of Sahitya-shastra: using the correct prastāva-krama (ordered method) to craft the prastāva (opening/prologue) so the composition succeeds reliably.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also codifies applied arts like Sanskrit poetics—here giving a practical compositional principle (how to structure an opening), showing its wide-ranging, instructional scope.
By emphasizing disciplined method (krama-yoga) and successful accomplishment (siddhi), it frames literary practice as a sādhana: correct procedure leads to assured results and mastery.