Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 23
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
बहुमन्त्रवतः पुंसः का कथा शिव एव सः दशलक्षजपादेक वर्णो मन्त्रः प्रसिध्यति
bahumantravataḥ puṃsaḥ kā kathā śiva eva saḥ daśalakṣajapādeka varṇo mantraḥ prasidhyati
សម្រាប់បុរសដែលកាន់កាប់មន្តជាច្រើន តើមានអ្វីត្រូវនិយាយទៀត? គាត់ពិតជាព្រះសិវៈឯង។ ដោយសូត្រមន្តដល់ដប់លានដង សូម្បីមន្តមួយព្យាង្គក៏ក្លាយជាមន្តដែលបានបង្កើតប្រសិទ្ធិភាព និងល្បីល្បាញ។
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Sets a quantitative benchmark (daśa-lakṣa japa) for mantra-siddhi and frames the ideal of mantra-mastery as Śiva-sāyujya/Śiva-tulya status for the practitioner.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Daśa-lakṣa-japa as Mantra-siddhi (even for Eka-varṇa Mantra)","lookup_keywords":["daśalakṣa japa","eka-varṇa mantra","mantra-siddhi","bahu-mantra-vat","śiva-tulya"],"quick_summary":"Ten million repetitions are presented as a decisive threshold for establishing mantra efficacy; mastery of many mantras is equated with Śiva-like spiritual stature."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Mantra gains prasiddhi/siddhi through sustained japa; mantra-mastery transforms the practitioner’s spiritual identity toward Śiva-bhāva.
Application: Adopt long-horizon japa vows (lakṣa-count discipline), track counts, and maintain steadiness until the stated threshold is completed.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Japa, Mantra-siddhi, Shaiva mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in meditation with a japa-mālā, a subtle aura suggesting Śiva-identification; a single-syllable bīja glowing as it becomes ‘established’ through immense repetition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogic sādhaka with rudrākṣa mālā, faint Śiva silhouette behind him, glowing bīja syllable in the heart-lotus, earthy reds and ochres, stylized lotus and flame motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka with mālā, haloed Śiva presence above, gold-leaf aura around the bīja syllable, rich jewel tones, ornate arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional devotional scene: sādhaka counting japa with mālā and tally beads, calm Śiva icon in background, fine linework, soft shading, labeled ‘daśa-lakṣa’ count motif","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a quiet pavilion counting rosary, calligraphic bīja on a scroll, subtle divine Śiva apparition, detailed textiles and garden backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दशलक्षजपादेक → दशलक्षजपात् + एकः (त् + ए → दे).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (Mantra-vidyā: japa, siddhi, prayoga); Agni Purana sections on pūjā-vidhi, homa-vidhi, abhiṣeka (adjacent verses 292.24-27)
FAQs
It teaches a japa-based criterion for mantra-siddhi: sustained repetition (here, ten million counts) can establish even a single-syllable mantra as effective.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also functions as a practical ritual handbook—here giving quantifiable guidance for mantra practice and attainment.
The verse links disciplined japa to purification and empowerment, portraying mastery of mantra as transformative—so complete that the practitioner is likened to Śiva himself.