Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
त्रैलोक्यं पादमूले स्यान्नवखण्डां भुवं लभेत् कपाले तु समालिख्य शिवतत्त्वं समन्ततः
trailokyaṃ pādamūle syānnavakhaṇḍāṃ bhuvaṃ labhet kapāle tu samālikhya śivatattvaṃ samantataḥ
पादमूल में त्रैलोक्य की स्थापना करे; पृथ्वी को नवखण्ड रूप में निरूपित करे। फिर कपाल पर भलीभाँति अंकित करके, सर्वतोभावेन शिवतत्त्व का चित्रण करे।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nyāsa/yantra visualization: mapping triloka and the ninefold earth onto body loci (feet) and inscribing Śiva-tattva around a kapāla as a ritual support for protection, empowerment, or consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Triloka-Nyāsa and Nava-khaṇḍa Bhūmi with Kapāla-lekhana of Śiva-tattva","lookup_keywords":["triloka-nyāsa","nava-khaṇḍa","bhūmi","kapāla-lekhana","śiva-tattva"],"quick_summary":"Place the three worlds at the feet-base, delineate the earth as nine regions, and inscribe Śiva-tattva around/on a skull-support—linking cosmic geography to the ritual body and diagram."}
Concept: Microcosm–macrocosm identity: the body/ritual support can host the structure of worlds; Śiva-tattva pervades and encircles all.
Application: Use structured visualization/inscription to stabilize attention (dhāraṇā) and to ‘seal’ the rite with an all-pervasive Śiva principle.
Khanda Section: Isana-kalpa (Shaiva-Tantric ritual diagrams and nyasa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tantric practitioner performs nyāsa: feet-base marked with ‘triloka’, a nine-part earth diagram nearby, and a kapāla inscribed with a circular Śiva-tattva band around it.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dim sanctum-like setting, practitioner with rudrākṣa, stylized kapāla with circular inscriptions, feet-base marked with three-tier cosmos symbols, deep reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, kapāla rendered with gold highlights, circular Śiva-tattva script ring, practitioner seated on tiger-skin, ritual diagram of nine regions beside, ornate gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean diagrammatic clarity: feet-base labels for triloka, a 3×3 earth grid, and a kapāla with concentric inscription rings, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate study scene with a yogin inscribing a skull-cup, fine calligraphy-like markings, cosmographic diagram on paper, subdued night palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syān nava-khaṇḍām → syāt nava-khaṇḍām (syān is sandhi form of syāt before n-); trailokyaṃ (tri+loka dvigu).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Īśāna-kalpa/nyāsa and yantra sections; Śaiva-tattva enumerations elsewhere in mantra/tantra chapters
FAQs
It teaches a Tantric-style visualization/drawing protocol: mapping the three worlds at the feet-base, marking the earth as ninefold, and inscribing Śiva-tattva around a kapāla as part of a Śaiva ritual diagram (lekhana/yantra-style placement).
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical liturgical technology—cosmography applied to worship—showing how Purāṇic texts function as manuals for yantra-like layouts, nyāsa placements, and sectarian (Śaiva) ritual procedure.
By ritually situating the cosmos (trailokya and ninefold earth) within a Śiva-centered diagram and surrounding it with Śiva-tattva, the practitioner sacralizes space and identity, aiming at purification and alignment with Śiva as the all-pervading auspicious principle.