Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
ब्रह्मणश्चाधिपतिर्ब्रह्म शिवो मे ऽस्तु सदाशिवः ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात् ॐ अघोरेभ्यो ऽथ घोरेभ्यो धोरहरेभ्यस्तु सर्वतः
brahmaṇaścādhipatirbrahma śivo me 'stu sadāśivaḥ oṃ tatpuruṣāya vidmahe mahādevāya dhīmahi tanno rudraḥ pracodayāt oṃ aghorebhyo 'tha ghorebhyo dhoraharebhyastu sarvataḥ
जो ब्रह्मा भी हैं और ब्रह्मा के भी अधिपति हैं, वे सदाशिव मेरे लिए शिवरूप से कल्याणकारी हों। ॐ: हम तत्पुरुष को जानते हैं; महादेव का ध्यान करते हैं; वह रुद्र हमें प्रेरित/प्रबुद्ध करे। ॐ: अघोर रूपों को तथा घोर रूपों को—और जो घोरता का हरण करते हैं—सब दिशाओं से नमस्कार।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective Śaiva invocation combining Sadāśiva identification, Tatpuruṣa-gāyatrī contemplation, and directional salutations to Aghora/Ghora forms for fear-removal.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Sadāśiva Śaraṇa and Tatpuruṣa-Gāyatrī with Aghora/Ghora Dik-namaskāra","lookup_keywords":["Sadāśiva","Tatpuruṣa gāyatrī","Aghora","Ghora","protective invocation"],"quick_summary":"A Śaiva protective recitation: seek auspiciousness of Sadāśiva, meditate via Tatpuruṣa-gāyatrī, and salute Aghora and Ghora aspects in all directions for comprehensive protection."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa
Concept: Śiva as the auspicious supreme who transcends and includes Brahmā; divine contemplation (vidmahe/dhīmahi) as illumination; embracing both gentle and fierce forms for total protection.
Application: Use as daily protective prayer, before travel/ritual, or as dik-śānti invocation to stabilize mind and environment.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva Mantra and Protective Invocation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee performs Śaiva pūjā before a Sadāśiva emblem; rays of light signify ‘tannō rudraḥ pracodayāt’; around, the eight directions are guarded by Aghora/Ghora protective energies dissolving fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Sadāśiva with serene face, subtle multiple-aspect suggestion; devotee with lamp and flowers; directional guardians as stylized flames/auras labeled Aghora/Ghora; deep temple colors and rhythmic borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Sadāśiva with heavy gold halo and arch; devotee offering ārati; eight-direction motif in gold medallions; contrasting gentle Aghora and fierce Ghora icon vignettes.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional pūjā scene with clear altar items; side panels showing the Tatpuruṣa-gāyatrī text and directional salutations; refined linework and calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: shrine interior with a Śiva-liṅga or Sadāśiva symbol; devotee reciting; delicate compass-like directional diagram around the scene; calligraphy cartouches for the gāyatrī and salutations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मणश्चाधिपतिः = ब्रह्मणः + च + अधिपतिः. मे 'स्तु = मे + अस्तु. तन्नो = तत् + नः. अघोरेभ्यो ऽथ = अघोरेभ्यः + अथ. धोरहरेभ्यस्तु = घोरहरेभ्यः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (pūjā-vidhi and īśāna-mantra cluster)
FAQs
It transmits a Shaiva mantra-prayoga: identification of Sadāśiva as supreme, recitation of the Rudra-Gāyatrī (Tatpuruṣa–Mahādeva–Rudra), and a directional protective invocation to Aghora/Ghōra forms for all-around safeguarding.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical catalog of worship-technology (pujā-vidhi): it preserves canonical mantras (Gāyatrī-style) alongside protective formulas, showing how the text compiles liturgy, theology, and applied ritual into a single reference.
Meditating on Rudra through the Gāyatrī is presented as an inner illumination practice (pracodayāt), while invoking Aghora/Ghōra as “removers of terror” functions as purification and fear-dispelling protection, aligning the practitioner with Śiva’s auspicious grace.