Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
सुसिद्धो ध्यानमात्रेण साधकं नाशयेदरिः दुष्टार्णप्रचुरो यः स्यान्मन्त्रः सर्वविनिन्दितः
susiddho dhyānamātreṇa sādhakaṃ nāśayedariḥ duṣṭārṇapracuro yaḥ syānmantraḥ sarvavininditaḥ
ಮಂತ್ರವು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಸುಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಶತ್ರುವು ಕೇವಲ ಧ್ಯಾನಮಾತ್ರದಿಂದ ಸಾಧಕನನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡಬಹುದು. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ದುಷ್ಟ/ಅಶುಭ ಅಕ್ಷರಗಳಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿರುವ ಮಂತ್ರವು ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ನಿಂದಿತವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Assess mantra integrity (akṣara-śuddhi) and recognize risks of hostile counter-meditation; avoid defective syllable-structures and employ protective measures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mantra-doṣa: Corrupt Syllables and Vulnerability to Counter-sādhana","lookup_keywords":["mantra-doṣa","duṣṭārṇa","akṣara-śuddhi","śatru dhyāna","sādhaka protection"],"quick_summary":"A mantra with defective/inauspicious syllables is condemned; even a perfected mantra-practice can be harmed by an enemy’s focused counter-meditation, so purity and protection are essential."}
Concept: Efficacy depends on śuddhi (purity) and safeguards; spiritual practice exists within a field of opposing wills (śatru-bhāva).
Application: Verify mantra from authentic lineage, maintain correct phonetics, avoid corrupted variants, and adopt protective observances (rakṣā, nyāsa, secrecy) against counter-practice.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra (Tantric Mantra-lakshana and Mantra-dosha)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka in meditation is shadowed by a rival performing counter-meditation; nearby, a manuscript shows corrupted syllables marked as defective, contrasting with a clean mantra text.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic contrast: serene sādhaka with aura, darker figure of enemy in background, stylized script panels showing pure vs corrupted akṣaras, protective yantra motifs around the sādhaka","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central sādhaka with gold aura and protective border, enemy figure subdued at edge, gold-highlighted manuscript with clear akṣaras, symbolic flames of purification","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic split composition: left—correct mantra syllables and calm sādhana; right—duṣṭārṇa-laden text and disturbed aura, fine line annotations","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, two chambers: one with sādhaka meditating, another with rival concentrating, detailed calligraphy sheets, subtle psychological tension, night-time lamp glow"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāśayet + ariḥ → nāśayed ariḥ (t/d sandhi). syāt + mantraḥ → syān mantraḥ (t→n before m).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (mantra-lakṣaṇa and doṣa discussion)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-śāstra criteria: (1) hostile meditative counter-action can harm a sādhaka, and (2) mantras containing defective/inauspicious syllables (duṣṭārṇa) are invalid and should be rejected.
It documents a technical rule-set for mantra evaluation (guṇa/doṣa) and practical concerns of ritual power and counter-rituals, showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied esoteric disciplines alongside broader dharma and vidyās.
It emphasizes discernment and purity in sacred sound: using flawed mantras is spiritually censured, while vigilance and correct practice are necessary to safeguard one’s sādhana from harmful influences.