Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 31
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
वृद्धकाख्यान् ग्रहांश्चोग्रांस् तथा मातृग्रहानपि बालस्य विष्णोश् चरितं हन्तु बालग्रहानिमान्
vṛddhakākhyān grahāṃścogrāṃs tathā mātṛgrahānapi bālasya viṣṇoś caritaṃ hantu bālagrahānimān
សូមឲ្យព្រះវិស្ណុ—ក្នុងតួនាទីជាអ្នកការពារកុមារ—ដោយព្រះលីលាចរិតរបស់ព្រះអង្គ បំផ្លាញវិញ្ញាណចាប់កុមារទាំងនេះ៖ គ្រាហៈដែលហៅថា វృద్ధកា គ្រាហៈសាហាវ និង មាតೃ-គ្រាហៈផងដែរ។
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in protective rites)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Bāla-rakṣā: recite Viṣṇu-carita as a protective formula to neutralize Vṛddhakā, Ugra-grahas, and Mātṛ-grahas affecting children.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Bāla-rakṣā-mantra: ‘bālasya Viṣṇoś caritam…’","lookup_keywords":["bāla-rakṣā","Mātṛ-graha","Vṛddhakā graha","Viṣṇu-carita","child-seizing spirits"],"quick_summary":"Invokes Viṣṇu’s protective exploits specifically as a child-guardian to destroy/drive away pediatric graha-afflictions, including Mātṛ-grahas and fierce entities."}
Concept: Smaraṇa/recitation of Viṣṇu-līlā as protective power (carita as rakṣā).
Application: Use narrative-theology (carita) as a functional mantra in crisis rites, especially for children.
Khanda Section: Raksha-Mantra & Graha-Shanti (Bala-Raksha / Protective rites against child-seizing spirits)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A child-protection rite where Viṣṇu’s deeds are recited as a shield; fierce grahas (Vṛddhakā, Ugra, Mātṛ-grahas) are shown retreating from the child.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu as protector standing behind a child with conch and discus, priest chanting, Mātṛ-grahas as stylized dark feminine silhouettes dissolving, warm lamp glow, sacred geometry around cradle.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu in regal form with gold halo, child at his feet, priest reciting from palm-leaf, grahas pushed to border, heavy gold work, auspicious ornaments, serene protection theme.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional bāla-rakṣā: cradle, rakṣā-thread, turmeric-kumkum marks, Viṣṇu icon on altar, labeled grahas fading, delicate shading and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with mother and child, learned priest reciting, a faint vision of Viṣṇu behind, graha-figures at window fleeing, fine textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: grahāṃś ca ugrān = grahān + ca + ugrān (anusvāra before ca in saṃhitā); mātṛgrahānapi = mātṛ-grahān + api; viṣṇoś caritam = viṣṇoḥ + caritam; bālagrahānimān = bāla-grahān + imān.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (bāla-graha sections; Nṛsiṃha protective passages following)
FAQs
It gives an apotropaic (protective) formula: recitation/invocation of Viṣṇu’s sacred exploits is prescribed as a means to ward off and destroy bāla-grahas, including Vṛddhakā-type and Mātṛ-type afflictors.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical graha-śānti and child-protection lore (often linked to pediatric afflictions and spirit-caused disease models), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of ritual therapeutics and protective religion.
It frames devotion to Viṣṇu (through his carita) as a purifying, protective power that removes harmful influences and safeguards a vulnerable child, aligning religious merit with immediate household well-being.