Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 30
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
प्रथमञ्चान्ततो योज्यं क्षपणं दशवीजकम् अस्यार्धं तृतीयञ्चैव पञ्चमं सप्तमं तथा
prathamañcāntato yojyaṃ kṣapaṇaṃ daśavījakam asyārdhaṃ tṛtīyañcaiva pañcamaṃ saptamaṃ tathā
ព្យញ្ជនៈទីមួយ ត្រូវដាក់នៅចុងក្រោយ; បន្ទាប់មកបន្ថែមធាតុ «kṣapaṇa» ដែលជាមន្តគ្រាប់ពូជដប់ (daśa-bīja)។ កន្លះនៃមន្តនេះ ត្រូវអនុវត្តដូចគ្នាសម្រាប់ករណីទីបី ទីប្រាំ និងទីប្រាំពីរ។
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bīja-mantra construction rule: repositioning the first syllable to the end, adding a kṣapaṇa component, and applying a daśa-bīja formula; then using half-formula variants for specified cases (3rd/5th/7th).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daśa-bīja kṣapaṇa formula: ending-placement of first varṇa; half-application for 3rd/5th/7th","lookup_keywords":["daśa-bīja","kṣapaṇa","bīja-yoga","mantra-vidhi","half-formula"],"quick_summary":"Construct the mantra by moving the first syllable to the end and inserting the kṣapaṇa element as a ten-bīja structure; for the third, fifth, and seventh instances, apply only the half-portion of that structure."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy is treated as a technical science: permutation (yoga) and modular application (half-formula) govern prayoga.
Application: When following this paddhati, keep a written schematic of syllable order; apply full daśa-bīja only where prescribed and half-structure for the 3rd/5th/7th to maintain textual fidelity and avoid prayoga-doṣa.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Tantric/Bīja-mantra construction and japa procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic mantra-diagram: syllables arranged in a sequence line, the first moved to the end, a highlighted ‘kṣapaṇa’ module inserted, and a bracket showing ‘half’ application for 3rd/5th/7th cases; a teacher instructs a student-sādhaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and disciple seated, palm-leaf manuscript with bold glyph blocks, decorative arrows showing syllable movement, warm earthy palette, stylized flame motifs for bīja power","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, guru before a gilded manuscript stand, gold-highlighted bīja blocks, ornate frame, clear depiction of rearranged syllable chain with kṣapaṇa module emphasized","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, highly instructional chart-like painting: clean arrows, brackets labeled ‘ardha’, sequence markers for 1st/3rd/5th/7th, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar’s workshop with diagrams on paper, fine calligraphy of bījas, teacher pointing with a stylus, subtle color palette and detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prathamañcāntato → prathamam + ca + antataḥ; tṛtīyañcaiva → tṛtīyam + ca + eva
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (continuation of bīja/varṇa prayoga rules; links to 316.26–316.29 nyāsa context)
FAQs
It teaches a specific rule for constructing/arranging a bīja-mantra: placing the first element at the end, adding a ‘kṣapaṇa’ component, and applying a half-form of that rule for certain numbered variants (3rd, 5th, 7th).
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana preserves compact technical manuals—here, a procedural mnemonic for mantra-racana (mantra construction), reflecting its wide coverage of ritual technology alongside other sciences.
Correct mantra formation is treated as essential for efficacy and purification: precise arrangement and prescribed components are understood to remove obstacles (kṣapaṇa) and ensure the intended ritual/spiritual result.