Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 14
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
अस्त्रं शशी समाख्यातं शिवसंज्ञं शिखिध्यजः नमः स्वाहा तथा वौषत् हूं च फत्कक्रमेण तु
astraṃ śaśī samākhyātaṃ śivasaṃjñaṃ śikhidhyajaḥ namaḥ svāhā tathā vauṣat hūṃ ca phatkakrameṇa tu
‘ಶಶೀ’ ಎಂಬ ಅಸ್ತ್ರ (ರಕ್ಷಾ-ಮಂತ್ರ) ಎಂದು ಘೋಷಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೇ ಶಿಖಿಧ್ವಜ, ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ‘ಶಿವ’ ಎಂಬ ಸಂಜ್ಞೆ ಇದೆ. ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ‘ನಮಃ’, ‘ಸ್ವಾಹಾ’, ‘ವೌಷಟ್’, ‘ಹೂಂ’, ಮತ್ತು ‘ಫಟ್’ ಎಂಬ ಮಂತ್ರಪದಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಯೋಗಿಸಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (narrating the astra-mantras)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Gives the prayoga (application) and mantra-ending sequence for a specific astra-mantra: the Śaśī (lunar) missile, named ‘Śiva’, to be used with the ordered exclamations namaḥ, svāhā, vauṣaṭ, hūṃ, phaṭ—useful for protection, sealing, and ritual ‘weaponization’ in nyāsa/homa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śaśī-astra (Śiva-sañjña) mantra-sequence: namaḥ–svāhā–vauṣaṭ–hūṃ–phaṭ","lookup_keywords":["śaśī-astra","astra-mantra","svāhā","vauṣaṭ","hūṃ phaṭ"],"quick_summary":"A lunar ‘missile’ astra is defined and its operational mantra-sequence is fixed. The ordered endings/exclamations indicate distinct ritual functions (salutation, offering, oblation call, forceful bīja, cutting/severing seal)."}
Weapon Type: Astra (divine missile) conceptualized as Śaśī (lunar)
Concept: Mantra functions as śakti-instrument: ordered phonetic components (svāhā/vauṣaṭ/hūṃ/phaṭ) encode offering, command, and protective severance.
Application: When performing astra-nyāsa or protective rites, keep the exact sequence of mantra-endings; use phaṭ as the final ‘cutting’ seal after hūṃ to conclude the deployment.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya / Mantra-shastra (Astra-mantra prayoga)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A crescent-moon ‘missile’ of light emanates from a sādhaka’s hand toward a protective boundary; the mantra-endings appear as sequential glowing syllables: namaḥ, svāhā, vauṣaṭ, hūṃ, phaṭ.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic protective rite, crescent lunar beam, stylized flame-lamps, bold script-like mantra words in sequence around the beam, strong reds/ochres, guardian mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf crescent missile and radiant aura, mantra words embossed in gold panels (namaḥ svāhā vauṣaṭ hūṃ phaṭ), Śiva presence implied by trident motif, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise instructional layout showing the five mantra-endings in order with arrows, practitioner gesture of astra-mudrā, clean composition, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant ritualist projecting a moonlit ray, calligraphic cartouches listing the sequence, architectural interior with lamps, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Hindol","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: फत्कक्रमेण→फट्+क्रमेण; (शिखिध्यजः read as शिखिध्वजः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (netra/astra discussions around 316.13–316.15); Agni Purana sections on homa-mantras using svāhā and vauṣaṭ
FAQs
It specifies the identification and practical mantra-sequence for deploying the Śaśī-astra (lunar missile), including the ordered use of ritual particles and bīja-syllables (namaḥ, svāhā, vauṣaṭ, hūṃ, phaṭ).
By cataloging operational details of astra-mantras—names, deity-associations (Śiva), and exact mantra components—it preserves a technical layer of Dhanurveda/Mantra-śāstra alongside the Purana’s broader teachings on ritual, polity, and sacred sciences.
Linking the astra to Śiva and prescribing orthodox mantra-forms frames weapon-use as a consecrated act; correct recitation is presented as ensuring efficacy while aligning the act with ritual purity and disciplined intention.