Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 10
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
दुष्टर्क्षराशिविद्वेषिवर्णादीन् वर्जयेन्मनून् राज्यलाभोपकाराय प्रारभ्यारिः स्वरः कुरून्
duṣṭarkṣarāśividveṣivarṇādīn varjayenmanūn rājyalābhopakārāya prārabhyāriḥ svaraḥ kurūn
ರಾಜ್ಯಲಾಭಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಅಶುಭ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ/ರಾಶಿಯಿಂದ ಆರಂಭವಾಗುವ ಹಾಗೂ ವೈರಿವರ್ಣಾದಿಯಿಂದ ಶುರುವಾಗುವ ಮನು-ಸೂತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಬೇಕು. ಆರಂಭದಿಂದಲೇ ಉಚ್ಚಾರ-ಸ್ವರವನ್ನು ‘ಅರಿ’ (ಶತ್ರುನಿಗ್ರಹ) ಸ್ವಭಾವದ ಧ್ವನಿಯಾಗುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Statecraft counsel: choose auspicious phonetic beginnings and avoid inauspicious nakṣatra/rāśi-linked formulas for royal success; apply sound-omen (śabda-lakṣaṇa) and electional astrology in naming/mantra initiation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rājya-lābha: Avoiding Duṣṭa Nakṣatra/Rāśi and Vaidveṣya Varṇa in Mantra/Name-formulas","lookup_keywords":["rājya-lābha","duṣṭa-nakṣatra","rāśi","varṇa-doṣa","śabda-śubha"],"quick_summary":"For sovereignty and political gain, avoid formulas beginning under/with inauspicious nakṣatra-rāśi indicators or inimical phonemes. Prefer a beginning sound-pattern that is ‘ari-’ (enemy-subduing) in force and well-intoned."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa
Concept: Ruler’s success is supported by śubha-kāla and śubha-śabda; avoid doṣa in beginnings (ārambha-śuddhi).
Application: In coronation, treaties, proclamations, and mantra-initiation, consult muhūrta and phonetic omens; standardize pronunciation/intonation for public rites.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft) / Jyotisha-related Counsel
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king’s council with a jyotiṣi and mantra-expert selecting auspicious syllables on a tablet, rejecting inauspicious nakṣatra/rāśi marks; a banner reading ‘ari-’ as the chosen opening sound.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: royal court scene, astrologer holding nakṣatra chart, scribe with palm-leaf writing syllables, rejected signs shown as dark motifs, chosen ‘ari’ highlighted, bold flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: enthroned king with gold ornamentation, priest presenting a written formula, gold-leaf emphasis on the chosen auspicious syllable, side medallions of nakṣatra and rāśi symbols.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional court tableau with labeled phonemes and nakṣatra icons, clear depiction of selection/avoidance process, refined lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: durbar with scholars, one points to a zodiac chart, another to a calligraphed syllable sequence, subtle tension of decision-making, intricate textiles and manuscripts."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्जयेन्मनून् = वर्जयेत् + मनून्. प्रथम पदे बहुपद-समासः: दुष्ट-ऋक्ष-राशि-विद्वेषि-वर्ण-आदीन्. (पाठे 'प्रारभ्यारिः' इति संधिः: प्रारभ्य + अरिः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rājadharma/Artha sections on coronation rites and omens; Jyotiṣa portions on duṣṭa nakṣatra; Śikṣā/varṇa-vidhi passages on svara
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for selecting/uttering mantras or name-formulas for political success: avoid inauspicious nakṣatra/rāśi and hostile initial phonemes, and begin with a sound-pattern considered enemy-subduing (ari-svara) to support royal attainment.
It blends governance (rājya-lābha), omen-science (nakṣatra/rāśi considerations), and mantra/phonetic discipline (varṇa, svara) into a single operational instruction—showing how the text integrates statecraft with ritual-astrological technique.
The instruction treats correct timing and sound as dharmic alignment: choosing auspicious conditions and disciplined speech is presented as a way to reduce harmful outcomes and support righteous success, especially in rulership and conflict.