Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 17
Chapter 39 — भूपरिग्रहविधानम्
Bhū-parigraha-vidhāna: Procedure for Acquiring and Ritually Securing Land
अष्टाक्षरेण सक्तूंश् च पातायित्वाष्टदिक्षु च राक्षसाश् च पिशाचाश् च येस्मिंस्तिष्ठन्ति भूतले
aṣṭākṣareṇa saktūṃś ca pātāyitvāṣṭadikṣu ca rākṣasāś ca piśācāś ca yesmiṃstiṣṭhanti bhūtale
ເມື່ອສະດຸດມະນະຕຣາ 8 ພະຍາງ ແລະ ໂປຍສັກຕູ (ເຂົ້າຄົ້ວ) ໄປທິດທັງ 8 ແລ້ວ ຣາກສະສາ ແລະ ປິສາຈາ—ຜູ້ໃດຢູ່ເທິງໜ້າດິນໃນບ່ອນນັ້ນ—ຖືກຂັບໄລ່ອອກໄປ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Raksha-kalpa for cleansing a spot/house/ritual ground by directional scattering (dik-kṣepa) with mantra to repel bhūta-preta influences.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṣṭākṣara-mantra dik-kṣepa with saktū for bhūta-preta-śānti","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭākṣara","saktū","dik-kṣepa","rākṣasa","piśāca"],"quick_summary":"Scatter parched grain in the eight directions while reciting the eight-syllabled mantra; this functions as a protective expulsion rite for rākṣasa/piśāca disturbances at that location."}
Concept: Mantra + dravya (saktū) + dik-krama as an operative protective technology (rakṣā) to remove unseen obstacles.
Application: Before worship, residence, or consecration, perform directional scattering with mantra to establish a ritually safe perimeter.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi & Raksha-kalpa (Protective rites / Bhuta-preta-shanti)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha/River/Mountain/Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist stands at a cleared patch of ground, casting handfuls of parched grain to the eight directions while reciting an eight-syllabled mantra; shadowy rākṣasas and piśācas withdraw beyond the boundary.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, ritualist in white dhoti with sacred thread, eight directional markers around a mandala-like ground, saktū grains shown as golden dots, dark bhūta figures receding, sacred protective aura, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights, central priest figure scattering grains, eight-direction lotus compass, subtle gold halo of protection, stylized rākṣasa/piśāca at margins fading, rich reds and greens, temple-ritual ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional clarity: eight arrows for directions, priest hand gestures, bowl of saktū, mantra recitation indicated by script ribbon, minimal background, soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ground texture, priest scattering grains to cardinal/intercardinal points, small grotesque spirits fleeing, delicate borders, calligraphic cartouche naming aṣṭākṣara and dik-kṣepa"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पातायित्वाष्टदिक्षु = पातायित्वा + अष्टदिक्षु; येस्मिंस्तिष्ठन्ति = ये + अस्मिन् + तिष्ठन्ति (सन्धि-लोप/संयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 39 (Rakṣā-kalpa / mantra-vidhi context)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga: recite an aṣṭākṣara (eight-syllable) mantra and scatter saktū (parched grain) as an offering in the eight directions to ward off hostile beings.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—directional offerings (aṣṭadik), mantra-prayoga, and spirit-warding—showing the text’s coverage of practical religious procedures alongside theology.
It functions as a purification and protection rite: by mantra and bali-like scattering, the space is ritually secured (rakṣita), reducing afflictions attributed to piśāca/rākṣasa influences and supporting auspiciousness for worship and daily life.