Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
उद्धरेत् प्रणवं पूर्वं प्रस्फुरद्वयमुच्चरेत् घोरघोरतरं पश्चात् तत्र रूपमतः स्मरेत्
uddharet praṇavaṃ pūrvaṃ prasphuradvayamuccaret ghoraghorataraṃ paścāt tatra rūpamataḥ smaret
पहले प्रणव ‘ॐ’ का उच्चारण करे। फिर ‘प्रस्फुरत्’ का द्वय उच्चारे। उसके बाद ‘घोर-घोरतर’ का जप करे; और वहाँ उसके अनुरूप रूप का ध्यान करे।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Stepwise japa-krama: utter praṇava, then the ‘prasphurat’ pair, then ‘ghora-ghoratara’, followed by deity-form visualization for mantra-siddhi and protective/transformative effect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa-krama: Praṇava → Prasphurat-dvaya → Ghora-ghoratara with Rūpa-dhyāna","lookup_keywords":["japa-krama","praṇava","prasphurat","ghora-ghoratara","rūpa-dhyāna"],"quick_summary":"Recite in a fixed sequence—Oṁ, the two ‘prasphurat’ syllables, then ‘ghora-ghoratara’—and immediately stabilize the practice by meditating on the corresponding deity-form."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka (repetition)
Concept: Mantra is completed by rūpa (form) contemplation; sound (śabda) must culminate in meaning/form (artha-rūpa) for focused consciousness.
Application: After each full sequence, pause briefly to visualize the deity vividly; this prevents mechanical japa and supports ekāgratā (one-pointedness).
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi and Tantra (Japa, Nyasa, Dhyana)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner chanting: first Oṁ, then two flashing syllables depicted as twin sparks, then a darker, fiercer aura as ‘ghora-ghoratara’ appears; finally the deity-form manifests in the mind-space before the practitioner.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic contrast: twin lightning-like glyphs for ‘prasphurat-dvaya’, then a fierce deity silhouette with flaming aureole, priest in profile chanting, bold reds/ochres and stylized fire motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, fierce deity with gold flame halo, embossed mantra syllables in a band (Oṁ, twin sparks, ghora-ghoratara), priest at lower corner in devotion, rich jewel tones and gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence shown left-to-right: Oṁ, two spark symbols, ‘ghora-ghoratara’ in darker ink, then a framed deity icon for dhyāna; fine lines and calm composition despite fierce theme","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly pavilion with a yogin chanting; translucent calligraphy for Oṁ and twin ‘prasphurat’ sparks; a fierce deity apparition in the sky with flames rendered delicately; detailed textiles and margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"intense","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रस्फुरद्वयमुच्चरेत् = प्रस्फुरद्वयम् + उच्चरेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.2; Agni Purana 317.6 (astra/protection context); Agni Purana dhyāna-vidhi passages in the same mantra-vidhi khanda
FAQs
It gives a precise japa-krama (recitation sequence): begin with Oṁ, add a paired ‘prasphurat’ formula, then recite ‘ghora-ghoratara’, and finally perform dhyāna by visualizing the mantra’s corresponding deity-form.
Beyond mythic narration, it functions as a practical ritual manual—preserving technical mantra-sequencing and visualization (dhyāna) methods typical of Purāṇic tantra and pūjā-vidhi sections.
Correct sequencing of mantra with dhyāna is presented as a means to make the recitation efficacious—purifying the practitioner and stabilizing devotion and concentration by linking sound (mantra) with form (rūpa).