Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
गायत्रीप्रणवस्तोत्रमन्त्रजप्यमघान्तकं काद्यैर् आवीजसंयुक्तैर् आद्यैर् आद्यैस्तदन्तकैः
gāyatrīpraṇavastotramantrajapyamaghāntakaṃ kādyair āvījasaṃyuktair ādyair ādyaistadantakaiḥ
Japa mantra Gāyatrī dan Praṇava-stotra adalah pemusnah dosa. Ia dilakukan dengan suku kata yang dimulai dari “ka”, digabung dengan bīja “āvī”, serta dimulai dengan vokal awal (a, ā, dan seterusnya) dan diakhiri dengan vokal awal yang sama sebagai penutupnya.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Mantra-japa construction rules for a sin-destroying formula combining Gāyatrī and Praṇava-stotra elements, with specified phonemic/akṣara sequencing and bīja-joining.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa-lakṣaṇa for Gāyatrī–Praṇava-stotra mantra with bīja and varṇa-krama","lookup_keywords":["gāyatrī-japa","praṇava-stotra","bīja-āvī","kādi-varṇa","akṣara-nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a technical rule for performing japa of a sin-destroying Gāyatrī–Praṇava-stotra mantra: employ syllables from ‘ka’ onward, joined with the bīja ‘āvī’, and use initial vowels as both opening and closing elements."}
Concept: Sacred sound is treated as a precise technology: phonemes, bīja, and ordering (krama) are integral to efficacy in japa.
Application: Maintain exact pronunciation and sequence; treat the mantra as a structured phonemic formula rather than improvisation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Gayatri–Pranava Stotra and Japa-lakshana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated on a kusa mat performs japa with a rosary; around him float stylized Sanskrit syllables—ka-series, the bīja ‘āvī’, and the initial vowels—arranged in a circular phonemic diagram, indicating the prescribed sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditative sādhaka with japa-mālā, luminous akṣara-mandala encircling him (ka-varga, vowels, bīja ‘āvī’), temple-lamp glow, flat iconic composition, deep greens and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogic figure with gold halo, ornate akṣara-mandala rendered with gold accents, ‘Oṃ’ prominent, rich textile borders, devotional yet technical symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional phoneme-wheel: ka-series and vowel series labeled, bīja ‘āvī’ highlighted, sādhaka demonstrating japa posture, neat linework and soft colors for readability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-sādhaka in a study with manuscripts, a diagram of akṣaras on a folio, rosary in hand, subtle mystical glow around ‘Oṃ’ and bīja, fine detailing and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काद्यैः (क + आद्यैः); आवीजसंयुक्तैः (आवीज + संयुक्तैः); आद्यैः + आद्यैः (पुनरुक्ति); आद्यैः + तदन्तकैः → आद्यैस्तदन्तकैः (ः + त् → स्त्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-vidhi chapters on bīja, nyāsa, and japa-lakṣaṇa; Agni Purana: Gāyatrī and Praṇava praise/usage sections
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-japa formulation: the Gayatri–Pranava stotra is to be recited using structured phonetic components—syllables beginning with ‘ka’, combined with a bīja (‘āvī’), and framed/terminated by the initial vowel-series—indicating a codified method of mantra construction and recitation.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves technical mantra-vidhi: phonetic sequencing (varṇa-krama), bīja-usage, and japa-instructions—showing the text’s catalog-like coverage of ritual technologies alongside other disciplines.
The verse explicitly characterizes the practice as “aghāntaka” (sin-destroying): correct japa of Gayatri and Praṇava, performed per prescribed phonetic rules, is presented as a purifier that removes demerit and supports spiritual uplift.