Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 60
अध्याय १ — यजुर्विधानम्
Agni Purana, Chapter 259: Yajur-vidhāna
आशुः शिशान इत्य् एतदायुधानाञ्च रक्षणे संग्रामे कथितं राम सर्वशत्रुनिवर्हणं
āśuḥ śiśāna ity etadāyudhānāñca rakṣaṇe saṃgrāme kathitaṃ rāma sarvaśatrunivarhaṇaṃ
「āśuḥ śiśāna」で始まるこの真言は、戦場において武器を守護するために説かれた、ラーマよ；それは一切の敵を退け、払い除ける。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha; framed as addressed to Rāma within the teaching)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Battlefield protection of weapons and morale by reciting a protective mantra before/while engaging the enemy; used as a kavaca-like safeguard for arms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Āśuḥ śiśāna—Āyudha-rakṣā mantra (weapon-protection)","lookup_keywords":["āśuḥ śiśāna","āyudha-rakṣā","saṅgrāma-mantra","śatru-nivāraṇa","kavaca"],"quick_summary":"The mantra beginning “āśuḥ śiśāna” is prescribed as a protective formula for weapons in battle, functioning as an all-enemy-repelling safeguard."}
Weapon Type: General (all weapons/āyudha)
Concept: Mantra as a functional power (śakti) applied to worldly aims—here, safeguarding instruments of action (āyudha) and neutralizing hostility.
Application: Integrate mantra-japa with disciplined conduct and preparedness; treat weapons as consecrated instruments requiring ritual protection.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Mantra-protection for weapons in battle)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior consecrates his weapons before battle, reciting “āśuḥ śiśāna” as a protective charm; weapons gleam, enemies held at bay by an unseen mantra-shield.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, heroic warrior in traditional armor holding bow and sword, sacred fire or aura around weapons, Sanskrit mantra glyphs subtly in the background, flat bold colors, ornate borders, protective Agni/Rudra energy motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central warrior with consecrated weapons, gold-leaf halo around arms, stylized flames and mantra scroll, rich reds and greens, embossed ornaments, devotional-protective mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional consecration scene: warrior seated near small homa-kunda, weapons placed on cloth, priest/teacher indicating mantra recitation, delicate lines, soft shading, detailed textiles","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, pre-battle camp scene with warrior reciting mantra over weapons, attendants and banners, fine detailing of arms, subtle luminous aura around weapons, landscape with distant opposing army"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; एतदायुधानाञ्च → एतत् + आयुधानाम् + च; सर्वशत्रुनिवर्हणं → सर्व-शत्रु-निवर्हणम् (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 259 (Dhanurveda/mantra-protection section)
FAQs
It specifies a Dhanurvedic protective mantra—“āśuḥ śiśāna”—to be applied for safeguarding weapons and gaining battlefield advantage through enemy-repulsion.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical war-science: mantric protection (rakṣaṇa) for arms in combat, showing its coverage of applied disciplines like Dhanurveda.
It frames righteous protection in conflict as supported by mantra-śakti, implying that disciplined, sanctioned use of sacred speech for defense purifies intent and restrains chaos in warfare.