Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
मध्यकोष्ठं भवेत्पद्मं पीतकर्णिकमुज्ज्वलम् कृष्णेन रजसा लिख्य कुलिशासिशितोर्धता
madhyakoṣṭhaṃ bhavetpadmaṃ pītakarṇikamujjvalam kṛṣṇena rajasā likhya kuliśāsiśitordhatā
中央の区画には、黄なる花蔵（カールニカー）を輝かせる蓮華を置くべきである。黒粉にて描き、線はヴァジュラ（雷杵）や剣の刃のごとく鋭く、浮き立たせて引く。
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha, as the predominant Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Drawing a central lotus in a yantra/maṇḍala with specified colors and materials (yellow pericarp, black powder lines) and sharpening/raising the strokes to create a protective, weapon-like edge effect for ritual efficacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Madhya-koṣṭha Padma-lekhana: Yellow Pericarp Lotus in Yantra","lookup_keywords":["madhya-koṣṭha","padma","pīta-karṇikā","kṛṣṇa-rajas","kulisa-asi"],"quick_summary":"In the central cell draw a lotus with a bright yellow pericarp; execute the diagram with black powder and crisp, raised, sharp lines likened to vajra/sword edges for potency and clarity."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile: lines like vajra/sword edge)
Weapon Type: Vajra; Sword (asi) as metaphor for sharp raised lines
Concept: Madhya (center) as the locus of śakti; color, material, and line-quality are upāyas that stabilize visualization and protective intent.
Application: When preparing yantras, follow prescribed pigments and crisp line execution to maintain legibility, symmetry, and ritual focus.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra-Mantra-Kalpa (Tantric ritual diagrams and worship procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram shows a central lotus with a vivid yellow pericarp; black powder lines are drawn sharply and slightly raised, evoking the keen edge of a vajra or sword.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central padma in a square maṇḍala, yellow karṇikā glowing, black granular linework rendered bold and sharp, priest-artist sprinkling powder with controlled hand.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central lotus with gold-leaf halo around the yellow pericarp, black lines crisp and embossed, ritual implements (vajra, sword) placed nearby as visual analogy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional depiction of lotus geometry, labeled petals and karṇikā in yellow, black powder technique shown with a small bowl and stylus, emphasis on sharp raised strokes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a tantric officiant draws a lotus yantra on a cloth/board using black powder, the yellow center painted, fine detailing of sharp line edges and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेत्पद्मम् → भवेत् + पद्मम्; पीतकर्णिकमुज्ज्वलम् → पीत-करणिकम् + उज्ज्वलम्; कुलिशासिशितोर्धता → कुलिश-असि-शित-ऊर्धता (समास/सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana yantra/maṇḍala drawing and pūjā-vidhi passages near 310.6; Agni Purana mantra-kalpa sections describing protective diagrams and installations
FAQs
It teaches a precise yantra/mandala construction rule: place a lotus in the central cell, specify its color-feature (yellow pericarp), and prescribe the drawing medium (black powder) and the required sharp, prominent line-work.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical ritual-technology—how to physically draft a worship diagram (yantra/mandala) with materials, color cues, and drafting standards—showing the text’s coverage of applied liturgy and tantric procedure.
Correctly formed yantras are traditionally held to stabilize the deity-invocation and focus worship; precision in the diagram is treated as part of ritual purity and efficacy, supporting merit (puṇya) through proper observance.