Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 42
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
रक्ष रक्ष प्रध्वंसय प्रध्वंसय कवचाय नमस्ततः ॐ ह्रूं फट् अस्त्राय नमो मूलवीजेन चाङ्गकं
rakṣa rakṣa pradhvaṃsaya pradhvaṃsaya kavacāya namastataḥ oṃ hrūṃ phaṭ astrāya namo mūlavījena cāṅgakaṃ
「守護せよ、守護せよ；滅せよ、滅せよ！」—カヴァチャ（kavaca・護身の鎧）に敬礼。次いで「オーム hrūṃ phaṭ」—アストラ（astra・武器真言）に敬礼。さらに根本の種子音（mūla-bīja）を用いてアṅガ・ニヤーサ（aṅga-nyāsa）を行うべし。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Kavaca-and-astra protective rite: recite ‘rakṣa’ and ‘pradhvaṃsaya’ to establish armor, then deploy astra-mantra ‘oṃ hrūṃ phaṭ’ and perform aṅga-nyāsa with the mūla-bīja for sealing protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kavaca–Astra Mantra Sequence with Aṅga-Nyāsa (Oṃ Hrūṃ Phaṭ)","lookup_keywords":["raksha raksha","kavacha","hrum phat","astraaya namah","anga nyasa"],"quick_summary":"Establish protective armor (kavaca) through repeated commands, then ‘launch’ the astra with hrūṃ phaṭ; finalize by aṅga-nyāsa using the root seed-syllable to lock the protection into the body."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Protection is embodied: kavaca is installed through mantra and nyāsa; astra is the decisive dispersal force signaled by phaṭ.
Application: Use as a standard template in tantric pūjā for self-protection before/after rites and for warding obstacles.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kavacha / Tantra-prayoga (Protective rites and weapon-mantras)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka encircled by a luminous armor-like aura (kavaca), performing aṅga-nyāsa touches; a sharp burst of light at ‘phaṭ’ radiates outward like a weapon clearing obstacles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: concentric protective aura bands around the figure, stylized hand-to-limb nyāsa gestures, ‘phaṭ’ shown as a jagged flame motif, temple-lamp ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf kavaca halo, ornate aura patterns, the ‘astra’ as a radiant spear of light emanating at phaṭ, rich jewel tones and embossed detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: stepwise instructional composition—kavaca installation, then hrūṃ phaṭ emission, then aṅga-nyāsa points marked subtly; refined lines and calm background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: interior ritual chamber, detailed textiles and implements; luminous aura around practitioner; outward shockwave at phaṭ dispersing dark forms; fine facial expression."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नमस्ततः = नमः + ततः; चाङ्गकं = च + अङ्गकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-kavaca sections; Agni Purana: nyāsa (kara/aṅga) procedures; Agni Purana: phaṭ-kāra and astravidyā discussions
FAQs
It teaches kavacha (protective armor-mantra) and astra-mantra usage—reciting protective/destructive injunctions and then applying aṅga-nyāsa using the mūla-bīja (root seed syllable), specifically employing the bīja “hrūṃ” with “phaṭ” for repulsion.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical liturgical technology: mantra-grammar (bīja and phaṭ), ritual sequencing (“tataḥ”), and embodied practice (nyāsa). This reflects the Agni Purana’s wide scope across pūjā-vidhi, protective rites, and applied mantra-sādhana.
The kavacha and astra-mantra are framed as purification and protection practices—warding off harmful influences and inner obstacles, while aligning the practitioner’s body (through nyāsa) with sacred power for dharmic safeguarding.