Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
नमो ऽन्तः स्याच्चतुर्वर्णो विश्वरूपञ्च कारणम् सूर्यमात्राहतं ब्रह्मण्यङ्गानीह तु पूर्ववत्
namo 'ntaḥ syāccaturvarṇo viśvarūpañca kāraṇam sūryamātrāhataṃ brahmaṇyaṅgānīha tu pūrvavat
मन्त्र का अंत ‘नमः’ से हो। वह चार वर्णों/मात्राओं वाला, विश्वरूप और कारणतत्त्व है। सूर्य-मात्रा से अभिहत/विशिष्ट करके, यहाँ ब्रह्म के अंगों का न्यास पूर्ववत् करे।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Constructing a four-mātrā/akṣara mantra ending in namaḥ, then performing brahmāṅga-nyāsa (limb-installation) under the qualifier of sūrya-mātrā for empowerment and protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Caturvarṇa-mantra ending in Namaḥ and Brahmāṅga-nyāsa with Sūrya-mātrā","lookup_keywords":["namaḥ","caturvarṇa","viśvarūpa","kāraṇa","brahmāṅga-nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"The mantra is defined as fourfold in syllabic measure, universal and causal, ending with namaḥ; empowered by sūrya-mātrā, it is applied through brahman-limb nyāsa as earlier taught."}
Concept: Kāraṇa-bhāva of mantra: the mantra is treated as causal seed of viśvarūpa, stabilized by namaḥ (surrender) and energized by solar measure (sūrya-mātrā).
Application: End the mantra with namaḥ to seal humility/śaraṇāgati; perform aṅga-nyāsa consistently ‘as previously’ to maintain ritual continuity and efficacy.
Khanda Section: Mantra-nyasa and Brahmanga-nyasa (Tantric ritual preliminaries)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram-like scene: the mantra ending ‘namaḥ’ written, four syllabic units marked, rays of the sun indicating sūrya-mātrā, and a practitioner touching limbs in sequence for brahmāṅga-nyāsa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with right hand performing aṅga-nyāsa touches (head, heart, etc.), sun-disc above emitting measured rays, stylized Sanskrit ‘namaḥ’ at the end of a mantra band, temple interior setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold sun halo with radiating lines marking mātrā, priest adorned, embossed mantra strip ending in ‘namaḥ’, rich ornamentation, devotional yet instructional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional panels: four akṣara blocks, ‘namaḥ’ seal, limb-touch sequence shown with subtle arrows, soft pastel palette and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest in a study with a manuscript showing four marked syllables and ‘namaḥ’, sun motif in the margin, attendant holding a ritual tray, precise calligraphy aesthetics"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Suryakant (or a bright morning raga such as Lalit)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नमो ऽन्तः = नमः + अन्तः; स्याच् = स्यात् + (च); विश्वरूपञ्च = विश्वरूपम् + च; ब्रह्मण्यङ्गानि = ब्रह्मणि + अङ्गानि; सूर्यमात्राहतम् = सूर्य + मात्रा + आहतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.2; Agni Purana 317.4; Agni Purana brahmāṅga-nyāsa ‘pūrvavat’ instructions in the same khanda
FAQs
It specifies mantra-structure (ending in “namaḥ”, four phonemic units) and instructs performing Brahman-related aṅga-nyāsa, with a technical qualifier called “sūrya-mātrā”, following an earlier stated method.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical ritual technology—precise mantra morphology, metrical/phonemic measures (mātrā), and standardized nyāsa steps—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a manual of applied liturgy and mantra-śāstra.
Correct mantra-ending and limb-nyāsa are taught as safeguards for ritual correctness, aiming at purification, focused deity-identification, and the successful activation (siddhi) of the intended worship practice.