Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
चटशब्दं द्विधा कृत्वा ततः प्रवरमुच्चरेत् दहेति च द्विधा कार्यं वमेति च द्विधा गतम्
caṭaśabdaṃ dvidhā kṛtvā tataḥ pravaramuccaret daheti ca dvidhā kāryaṃ vameti ca dvidhā gatam
‘चट’ शब्द को दो भागों में करके, फिर ‘प्रवर’ का उच्चारण करे। इसी प्रकार ‘दहे’ को भी द्विविध करना है, और ‘वमे’ भी द्विविध रूप से ग्रहण किया गया है।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing a sage (commonly Vasiṣṭha in framing tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Bīja-mantra manipulation: splitting specific mantric words (‘caṭa’, ‘dahe’, ‘vame’) into two operational units for prayoga—often for directing, cutting, burning, or reversing effects in ritual action.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvidhā-karaṇa of Caṭa/Dahe/Vame in Bīja-prayoga","lookup_keywords":["caṭa","dahe","vame","dvidhā-kṛ","bīja-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Certain operative mantra-words are to be applied in a twofold manner—split and used as paired units—before uttering the principal (pravara) form, indicating controlled modular deployment in ritual."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic patterning)
Concept: Mantra as a structured technology: segmentation (pada/akṣara-bheda) is itself a rule of efficacy, not mere pronunciation detail.
Application: Follow the prescribed twofold application exactly (counts/placements), as these words are ‘kriyā-bīja’ (action-seeds) whose force is altered by splitting and repetition.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya / Tantra (Bija-mantra and phonetic ritual operations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript-like instructional scene showing the words ‘caṭa’, ‘dahe’, ‘vame’ each split into two parts with arrows, followed by a highlighted ‘pravara’ utterance; a practitioner points to the segments while preparing ritual implements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized palm-leaf manuscript with segmented syllables, priest-teacher gesturing, ritual fire and implements faintly in background, earthy palette and decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted syllable segments on a manuscript panel, priest with stylized rosary, ornate frame, minimal deity presence—focus on sacred script and ritual authority","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic diagram: three rows (caṭa/dahe/vame) each split into two blocks, arrows to ‘pravara’, neat calligraphy and soft colors, classroom-like setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scribe and practitioner over an open folio with segmented mantra words, fine calligraphy, small ritual tray with incense, architectural niche background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रवरमुच्चरेत् = प्रवरम् + उच्चरेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.4; Agni Purana 317.6; Agni Purana bīja and prayoga discussions in the same mantra-vidhi section
FAQs
It teaches a phonetic/mantric operation: certain seed-like utterances (caṭa, dahe, vame) are to be split and applied in a twofold manner, with emphasis on pronouncing the principal (pravara) form correctly.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical ritual-technology—precise rules for mantra handling and pronunciation—showing the text’s coverage of applied disciplines such as mantra-śāstra and tantric ritual procedure.
Correct mantra-phonetics is traditionally held to be essential for efficacy (siddhi) and purification; the verse frames accuracy in utterance as a prerequisite for the intended transformative or protective ritual result.