Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 20
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
सिंहस्थावाह्यसिंहस्थेति ख , छ , ञ , ट च स्त्रियो वाष्ट च भोजयेदिति ख , छ च कन्यार्थौ लभते कन्यां अपुत्रः पुत्रमाप्नुयात् दुर्भगा चैव सौभाग्यं राजा राज्यं जयं रणे
siṃhasthāvāhyasiṃhastheti kha , cha , ña , ṭa ca striyo vāṣṭa ca bhojayediti kha , cha ca kanyārthau labhate kanyāṃ aputraḥ putramāpnuyāt durbhagā caiva saubhāgyaṃ rājā rājyaṃ jayaṃ raṇe
“सिंहस्थावाह्यसिंहस्थे” इस मंत्र के साथ ख, छ, ञ, ट अक्षरों का प्रयोग तथा “स्त्रियों और आठ जनों को भोजन कराए” इस विधान से—कन्या चाहने वाला कन्या पाता है, निःसंतान पुत्र पाता है, दुर्भाग्या सौभाग्य पाती है, और राजा राज्य तथा रण में जय पाता है।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Varṇa-mantra and prayoga linking specific syllables and a formula (‘siṃhasthā-vāhya-siṃhasthā’) with an associated feeding rite to obtain desired outcomes (marriage/offspring/fortune/royal victory).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Varṇa-mantra (kha-cha-ña-ṭa) with ‘Siṃhasthā-vāhya-siṃhasthā’ and phala-list","lookup_keywords":["varṇa-mantra","kha cha ña ṭa","siṃhasthā","kanyā-prāpti","jaya"],"quick_summary":"A syllable-mantra combined with a lion-associated formula and a prescribed feeding observance is said to yield specific fruits: maiden/son/fortune/kingdom and victory."}
Concept: Phala is mapped to mantra (śabda) plus karma (observance/feeding), reflecting tantric integration of sound and act.
Application: Treat the verse as a phala-index: select the prayoga aligned to the desired goal, and pair recitation with the stated charitable/ritual act.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra / Varna-mantra-phala (Tantric-style syllable mantras and their fruits)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka recites syllables written on a palm-leaf or yantra-like board—kha, cha, ña, ṭa—beside a lion emblem; women/eight persons are fed as part of the rite; in the background, symbolic scenes of marriage, childbirth, prosperity, and a king’s victory banner.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central lion motif behind the sādhaka, bold script-like glyphs for syllables, ritual feeding scene with women seated, symbolic vignettes of boon-results in side panels, saturated reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold halo around lion emblem, mantra syllables stylized, devotees receiving food, four small medallions showing kanyā-prāpti, putra-lābha, saubhāgya, and rāja-jaya, ornate jewelry and textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: syllables in a neat grid, the phrase ‘siṃhasthā-vāhya-siṃhasthā’ on a scroll, stepwise depiction of feeding rite, restrained palette and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, calligraphic emphasis on syllables, lion standard near a seated practitioner, courtly scene of a king receiving victory news in a corner, domestic scenes of marriage/childbirth subtly integrated, meticulous architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: siṃhasthāvāhya- is treated as mantra-phrase: सिंहस्थ + आवाह्य + सिंहस्थ + इति; striyo vāṣṭa → स्त्रियः वा अष्ट; bhojayediti → भोजयेत् इति; putramāpnuyāt → पुत्रम् आप्नुयात्; दुर्भगा चैव → दुर्भगा च एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (varṇa-mantra-phala sequences and associated bhojana injunctions)
FAQs
It teaches a varṇa-mantra (syllable-based) practice—using specific syllables and a set formula, coupled with a feeding rite (women and a prescribed set of eight)—to obtain targeted results such as marriage prospects, progeny, fortune, and royal victory.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana catalogs applied ritual technologies—mantra syllables, auxiliary observances like hospitality/feeding, and clearly enumerated outcomes—showing its coverage of practical religio-social aims (progeny, marriage, kingship, warfare success).
The verse links disciplined mantra-use with dāna/annadāna-style merit (feeding), presenting prosperity, progeny, and victory as karmic fruits arising from ritual correctness, auspicious conduct, and mantra potency.