Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
तद्विष्णोरिति जप्त्वाथ दद्याद्रिपुमुखे पदं दक्षिणं पदं द्वात्रिंशद्दिक्षु प्राच्यादिषु क्रमात्
tadviṣṇoriti japtvātha dadyādripumukhe padaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ padaṃ dvātriṃśaddikṣu prācyādiṣu kramāt
‘ತದ್ವಿಷ್ಣೋಃ…’ ಎಂದು ಆರಂಭವಾಗುವ ಮಂತ್ರವನ್ನು ಜಪಿಸಿದ ಬಳಿಕ, ಶತ್ರುವಿನ ಕಡೆ ಮುಖಮಾಡಿ (ಮಂತ್ರ-)ಪದವನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಬೇಕು. ಪೂರ್ವದಿಂದ ಆರಂಭಿಸಿ ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಮೂವತ್ತೆರಡು ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ‘ದಕ್ಷಿಣ’ ಪದವನ್ನು ನ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Directional nyāsa/protective deployment: after japa of 'tad viṣṇoḥ…', place mantra-padas oriented toward the enemy and distribute the right pada through 32 directions from east onward to create a protective mandala and offensive-facing barrier.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Directional Nyāsa with 'Tad Viṣṇoḥ' Pada in 32 Directions (Protective Rite)","lookup_keywords":["tad vishnoh","nyasa","32 directions","dik-bandhana","enemy-facing pada"],"quick_summary":"Recite the 'tad viṣṇoḥ' mantra, then perform directional placement of its padas—facing the enemy and extending through thirty-two directions from the east—to establish comprehensive protection and ritual dominance."}
Concept: Mantra as spatial power: sound mapped onto directions to transform space into a guarded sacred field (kṣetra-rakṣā).
Application: Use structured directional recitation/nyāsa to cultivate focus, reduce panic, and create a disciplined protective routine for group action.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Directional Nyasa and Protective Rite)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist/king performs nyāsa around a space: facing the enemy direction, then turning systematically through 32 directions from the east, placing mantra-padas as luminous syllabic seals forming a protective mandala.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, figure in ritual stance turning through directions, glowing syllables in the air, compass-like mandala on the ground, stylized enemy front indicated, bold outlines and sacred geometry motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central performer with gold halo, radiant directional seals in gold leaf around, ornate border, compass mandala with 32 spokes, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, technical depiction of 32-direction wheel, performer placing padas stepwise, clear directional labels (east onward), refined linework and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, camp scene with a learned priest drawing/gesturing a directional mandala, soldiers watching, enemy direction marked, delicate geometry and landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्विष्णोरिति = tat + viṣṇoḥ + iti; दद्याद्रिपुमुखे = dadyāt + ripumukhe (t + r → dr); द्वात्रिंशद्दिक्षु = dvātriṃśat + dikṣu (t + d → dd).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (mantra-kalpa; protective rites; Dhanurveda-adjacent procedures)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-kalpa procedure: after japa of a Viṣṇu-mantra, perform directional nyāsa/dik-bandhana by placing specified mantra-padas in sequence across the thirty-two directions, oriented toward an enemy-facing front for protection.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—precise instructions for mantra-recitation, spatial orientation, and directional mapping (32 dik-scheme), reflecting the Agni Purana’s catalog-like coverage of practical liturgy and protective rites.
The act of Viṣṇu-mantra japa combined with ordered dik-nyāsa is framed as a sanctifying protective enclosure—securing the practitioner’s space, countering hostile influences, and aligning action with dharmic, deity-centered ritual order.