Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
Aghīrāstra-ādi-Śānti-kalpaḥ
Rite for Pacification of Aghora-Astra and Other Weapons
भूतवेदालशान्तिस्तु गुग्गुलोरयुतेन च महावृक्षस्य भङ्गेतु व्यालकङ्के गृहे स्थिते
bhūtavedālaśāntistu guggulorayutena ca mahāvṛkṣasya bhaṅgetu vyālakaṅke gṛhe sthite
ブータおよびヴェーターラを鎮めるには、グッグル（guggulu）をアユタ（十千）用いてシャーンティ（鎮静）を行うべきである。同様に、大樹が不吉に折れるとき、また家が蛇や鷺（heron）などの不祥のものに占められるときも、同種のシャーンティを修すべきである。
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual-encyclopedic instructions to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Bhūta-vetāla pacification and omen-remediation using guggulu as the principal fumigant/offering substance; applied when haunting-like disturbances or ominous household signs occur (tree breakage, serpent/heron presence).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Guggulu ayuta rite for Bhūta–Vetāla-śānti and ominous household signs","lookup_keywords":["bhūta-śānti","vetāla","guggulu","ayuta","nimitta"],"quick_summary":"A large-count (ayuta) guggulu-based rite is prescribed to pacify bhūtas and vetālas; the same remedial śānti is indicated for certain ominous signs like a great tree breaking or inauspicious occupancy of a house."}
Concept: Nimitta (omen) recognition and śānti-karman as a stabilizing response to fear and disorder
Application: When unsettling signs arise, respond with structured remedial action (purification, offerings, community reassurance) rather than panic.
Khanda Section: Bhuta-Preta-Shanti / Graha-Śānti (Apotropaic rites and spirit-pacification within ritual manuals)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night-time house purification: guggulu resin burning in a brazier, smoke curling through rooms; outside, a broken great tree; near the doorway, a serpent and a perched heron as ominous signs, while a priest performs śānti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic chiaroscuro with smoky guggulu dhūpa, stylized serpent near threshold, broken tree motif, priest with lamp and brazier, protective yantra-like borders, mood shifting from fear to calm","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central brazier with gold-highlighted smoke swirls, ornate doorway, symbolic serpent and heron rendered decoratively, priest in ritual posture, rich jewel tones, protective aura","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of dhūpa vessel and guggulu lumps, step-by-step visual: lighting, circumambulating rooms, placing at doorway; minimal background, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic interior with attendants, brazier smoke, broken tree visible through courtyard, naturalistic heron and serpent, fine textiles and architectural detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भूतवेदालशान्तिस्तु → भूत-वेदाल-शान्तिः + तु; गुग्गुलोरयुतेन → गुग्गुलोः + अयुतेन; भङ्गेतु → भङ्गे + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana Bhūta-preta-śānti and dhūpa/homa dravya lists near 320; Agni Purana nimitta-śāstra passages on inauspicious signs in adjacent verses
FAQs
It prescribes a bhūta–vetāla śānti (spirit-pacification) procedure using guggulu resin in a large counted measure (ayuta), and applies the same śānti logic to ominous signs like a great tree breaking or a house marked by inauspicious presence (serpent/heron).
It shows the text functioning as a practical ritual handbook: alongside theology, it catalogs omen-situations (tree-breakage, uncanny habitation) and gives actionable counter-rites (śānti with specific substances like guggulu), reflecting the Purana’s wide coverage of applied religious life.
Performing śānti is framed as restoring ritual and domestic auspiciousness (śubha), neutralizing harmful influences attributed to spirits or ominous signs, and thereby protecting household welfare and reducing fear, impurity, and adverse karmic outcomes associated with such disturbances.