Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
Adhyaya 314 — Tvaritājñāna
Immediate/Quick Knowledge) (Colophon/Transition
महाकूर्मं पूजयित्वा पादप्रोक्षन्तु निक्षिपेत् ताडयेद्वामपादेन स्मृत्वा शत्रुञ्च सप्तधा
mahākūrmaṃ pūjayitvā pādaprokṣantu nikṣipet tāḍayedvāmapādena smṛtvā śatruñca saptadhā
ಮಹಾಕೂರ್ಮನನ್ನು ವಿಧಿಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ಪೂಜಿಸಿ, ಪಾದೋದಕದಿಂದ ಪ್ರೋಕ್ಷಿಸಿ ಆ ವಸ್ತುವನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಬೇಕು. ನಂತರ ಶತ್ರುವನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಿ ಎಡಪಾದದಿಂದ ಏಳು ಬಾರಿ ಪ್ರಹಾರ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/abhicāra-style stambhana rite using nyāsa-like placement, pāda-prokṣaṇa, and symbolic trampling to ritually ‘subdue’ an enemy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mahākūrma-pūjā with left-foot striking (sapta-tāḍana) for enemy-subjugation","lookup_keywords":["Mahākūrma","pāda-prokṣaṇa","vāma-pāda-tāḍana","sapta","śatru-smaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"After worshipping Mahākūrma, the practitioner sprinkles/places the ritual support and performs seven left-foot strikes while mentally fixing the enemy, as a coercive stambhana gesture."}
Concept: Ritual action (kriyā) + focused smaraṇa (intentional cognition) is treated as causally efficacious in tantra.
Application: Maintain strict mental fixation on the target while executing prescribed bodily mudrā/gesture counts (sevenfold) to ‘seal’ the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Protective Rite Procedures)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tantric practitioner worships a tortoise-emblem altar, sprinkles sanctified water, places the ritual support, then stamps the left foot seven times while visualizing an enemy being immobilized.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, Mahākūrma as sacred tortoise-ādhāra on a lotus base, priest in white dhoti performing pāda-prokṣaṇa and left-foot stamping, ritual vessels, yantra lines, solemn protective ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central Mahākūrma icon with ornate halo, priest performing sevenfold stamping gesture, rich jewelry motifs on ritual implements, embossed gold borders, deep reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional composition showing steps: worship, sprinkling, placement, seven stamps marked with small numerals, calm background with mandala grid","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtly atelier look, a yogin-priest in a small shrine room with tortoise emblem, water sprinkling and stamping captured in sequential vignette panels, fine textiles and patterned floor"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शत्रुञ्च → शत्रुम् + च; ताडयेद्वामपादेन → ताडयेत् + वामपादेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 314 (stambhana/mohana prayoga context)
FAQs
It teaches a specific operational sequence in an enemy-subduing rite: worship Mahākūrma, ritually sprinkle/prepare and place the object, then perform a sevenfold stamping/striking with the left foot while visualizing the target.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—precise bodily actions (left-foot striking), counted repetitions (sevenfold), and visualization—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical mantra–rite procedures alongside other sciences.
The verse frames the act as a consecrated procedure (preceded by worship and purification), implying that intention is ritually ‘sealed’ through counted action and visualization, directing the rite’s force toward restraint/subjugation rather than a random act.