Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
श्मशानकर्पटे वाथ वाह्यं निष्क्रम्य मन्त्रवित् तस्य मध्ये लिखेन्नाम कर्णिकोपरि संस्थितम्
śmaśānakarpaṭe vātha vāhyaṃ niṣkramya mantravit tasya madhye likhennāma karṇikopari saṃsthitam
あるいは火葬場（シュマシャーナ）から得た布において、真言を知る者は外の場所へ出て、その中央に名を記し、図形のカールニカー（中心の花心）上に据えるべきである。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s common frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Yantra-lekhana for protective/operative rites: selecting a charged medium (cremation-ground cloth), moving to an outer/liminal place, and writing the target-name at the diagram’s central hub (karṇikā) to focus the operation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śmaśāna-kārpaṭa Yantra: Nāma-lekhana on the Karṇikā (Central Hub)","lookup_keywords":["śmaśāna-kārpaṭa","yantra-lekhana","nāma-lekhana","karṇikā","abhicāra"],"quick_summary":"For certain tantric operations, write the name at the center (karṇikā) of the diagram on cremation-ground cloth, performed in an outer/liminal setting by a mantra-knower."}
Concept: Concentration through bindu/center (karṇikā) and liminality: the ‘outside’ space and central placement intensify single-pointed intent.
Application: In diagram-based rites, keep the target-name at the exact center to ‘bind’ the operation; maintain strict ritual containment and ethical restraint.
Khanda Section: Tantra-Mantra & Abhicara (Protective/ritual operations; Yantra-lekhana)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Night-time cremation-ground: a mantra-knower spreads a dark cloth, draws a lotus-yantra, and writes a name precisely on the central karṇikā while standing at the ‘outer’ edge of the ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic chiaroscuro, cremation-ground trees and pyre silhouettes, practitioner drawing a lotus with central karṇikā, restrained but intense palette, ritual implements nearby.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central lotus-yantra with gold-highlighted karṇikā, practitioner in profile writing the name, stylized cremation-ground motifs, ornate gold frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagram-forward composition: lotus with labeled karṇikā, cloth texture visible, practitioner’s hand placing the name at center, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal garden-like cremation-ground, fine brushwork on cloth and script, attendants at distance, central lotus diagram emphasized."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vātha → vā atha; likhennāma → likhet nāma; karṇikopari → karṇikā-upari.
Related Themes: Agni Purana yantra/abhicāra passages on karṇikā, nāma-lekhana, and choice of media (bhūrja, kārpaṭa, etc.)
FAQs
It teaches a procedural detail of yantra-lekhana: using a (ritually charged) cremation-ground cloth and writing the required name at the diagram’s central karṇikā (hub) after moving to an outer/external ritual space.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves operational ritual technology—materials (śmaśāna-karpaṭa), spatial rules (vāhya), and diagrammatics (karṇikā)—showing its coverage of applied mantra/yantra practice alongside dharma, polity, medicine, and arts.
By specifying potent materials and precise placement at the yantra’s center, the verse frames ritual efficacy as dependent on disciplined method; it also implies heightened liminal power (śmaśāna) harnessed under mantra-guidance rather than ordinary use.