Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
अन्तर्धानकरी विद्या मोहनी जृम्भनी तथा वशन्नयति शत्रूणां शत्रुबुद्धिप्रमोहिनी
antardhānakarī vidyā mohanī jṛmbhanī tathā vaśannayati śatrūṇāṃ śatrubuddhipramohinī
ມີວິທະຍາ (Vidyā) ທີ່ເຮັດໃຫ້ຫາຍຕົວ, ມີວິທະຍາ mohanī ທີ່ຊັກຈູງໃຫ້ຫຼົງໄຫຼ, ແລະວິທະຍາ jṛmbhanī ທີ່ເຮັດໃຫ້ມຶນງົງ/ອຳມະພາດ; ອີກທັງມີວິທະຍາທີ່ນຳສັດຕູໃຫ້ຢູ່ໃນອຳນາດ—ວິທະຍາທີ່ຫຼອກລວງ ແລະທຳໃຫ້ປັນຍາຂອງສັດຕູສັບສົນ.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Catalog of occult vidyās used for concealment, enchantment, paralysis/stupefaction, and enemy-delusion in conflict or covert operations (as described in the text).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Occult Vidyās: Antardhāna, Mohanī, Jṛmbhanī, and Śatru-buddhi-pramohanī","lookup_keywords":["antardhāna-vidyā","mohanī","jṛmbhanī","śatru-vaśa","buddhi-pramohana"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates specialized tantric ‘vidyās’ for invisibility, enchantment, immobilization, and deluding an enemy’s intellect—framing them as distinct operational powers."}
Concept: Instrumental knowledge (vidyā) categorized by effect; power is treated as modular and goal-directed.
Application: As an index for practitioners/readers: identifies functional classes of prayoga to be sought in fuller manuals/chapters.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra Vidya (Occult sciences and magical rites)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four symbolic panels: a figure vanishing (antardhāna), an enchanted target (mohanī), a frozen/paralyzed foe (jṛmbhanī), and an enemy commander confused amid swirling illusion (buddhi-pramohana).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: narrative frieze with four compartments, bold outlines and earthy pigments; illusion motifs as swirling vines/smoke; enemies shown with bewildered expressions; ritualist in corner invoking vidyā.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: four medallions with gold borders; each effect iconized—vanishing silhouette, enthralled gaze, stiffened posture, confused mind-cloud; rich jewel tones and gilded ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional storyboard with captions for each vidyā; clear gestures and outcomes; refined linework and soft color washes emphasizing didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: sequential scenes in a palace/battle-camp setting; subtle visual metaphors for invisibility and delusion; intricate textiles and expressive faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वशन्नयति = वशम् + नयति (अनुस्वार/नकारसन्धिः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (tantric prayoga continuation; vidyā lists)
FAQs
It catalogs specific esoteric Vidyās (mantra-based siddhis): antardhāna (concealment/invisibility), mohana (enchantment/delusion), jṛmbhaṇā (stupefaction/paralysis), and vaśīkaraṇa-like control that confuses an enemy’s intellect.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves technical lists of applied knowledge—here, mantra-tantra categories of siddhi used for protection, strategy, and coercive control—showing its wide scope across practical and esoteric disciplines.
Such Vidyās are traditionally treated as powerful, intention-sensitive practices: used defensively they are framed as protective arts, but coercive use (delusion/subjugation) is commonly cautioned as karmically binding and ethically risky without dhārmic restraint and proper initiation.