Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Worship by Limb-Syllables
Aṅgākṣara-arcana
तारो मेषो विषं दन्ती नरो दीर्घो वणा रसः क्रूद्धोल्काय महोल्काय वीरोल्काय शिखा भवेत्
tāro meṣo viṣaṃ dantī naro dīrgho vaṇā rasaḥ krūddholkāya maholkāya vīrolkāya śikhā bhavet
「ターラ」「メーシャ」「ヴィシャ」「ダンティー」「ナラ」「ディールガ」「ヴァナー」「ラサ」—憤焔クルッドホルカー、大焔マホルカー、勇焔ヴィーロルカーのために、護持の「シカー（śikhā）」の式（真言）をこのように定めて誦すべし。
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Construct/recite a protective śikhā-mantra segment using specified name-syllables for fiery ‘olkā’ forces in kavaca-style protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Śikhā-mantra for Kruddholkā–Maholkā–Vīrolkā using name-syllables (Tāra, Meṣa, etc.)","lookup_keywords":["śikhā-mantra","kavaca","Kruddholkā","Maholkā","Vīrolkā"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists seed/name components to be arranged as the śikhā (crown/tuft) protection for specific ‘olkā’ powers, functioning as a kavaca limb-formula."}
Concept: Mantra as a structured protective technology: limb-wise sealing (aṅga/śikhā) through specific nāma-bīja sequences.
Application: Use in kavaca/nyāsa before japa, travel, battle, or ritual work—mentally ‘sealing’ the śikhā region with the given formula.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra (Protective Mantras / Kavacha and Name-Mantras)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka performs śikhā-nyāsa, touching the crown/tuft while visualizing three fiery meteoric deities—Kruddholkā, Maholkā, Vīrolkā—encircled by syllabic seeds.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic with topknot touching śikhā, behind him three flame-bodied olkā forms like meteors, circular mantra letters floating, bold reds/oranges, stylized fire motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka with gold aura, three fiery guardian forms above, mantra syllables in gold relief around the crown, ornate jewelry-like borders, deep maroon background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear step-by-step depiction of śikhā-nyāsa gesture, labeled mantra components (Tāra, Meṣa, etc.) in margins, soft shading, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, yogi in a garden pavilion performing crown-touch gesture, three comet-like fiery spirits in the sky, delicate calligraphic syllables, fine detail and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्रूद्धोल्काय→क्रुद्ध-उल्काय; महोल्काय→महā-उल्काय; वीरोल्काय→वीर-उल्काय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Kavaca/nyāsa instructions in Mantra-vidyā khanda (aṅga-nyāsa, kara-nyāsa, śikhā-nyāsa)
FAQs
It gives a specific ‘śikhā’ (crest/topknot) mantra-anga/nyāsa formula made of name-words (tāra, meṣa, etc.) to be applied/recited for the Ulkā-forms—Kruddholkā, Maholkā, and Vīrolkā—as part of a protective ritual.
Beyond myth and theology, it preserves technical mantra-prayoga details—seed/name strings, deity-address (dative forms), and limb-wise nyāsa (śikhā)—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium-style coverage of practical ritual technology.
Performed as intended, such śikhā/nyāsa mantras are traditionally used for protection, purification, and sealing one’s energy-field (kavacha-bhāva), aiming to avert harm and stabilize devotional discipline.