Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 64
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
दानभेदैश् चैव मुख्यान् पौरानिति ज वेतालोल्कापिशाचानां शिवानां च स्वरूपकी कामतो रूपधारित्वं शस्त्राग्न्यश्माम्बुवर्षणं
dānabhedaiś caiva mukhyān paurāniti ja vetālolkāpiśācānāṃ śivānāṃ ca svarūpakī kāmato rūpadhāritvaṃ śastrāgnyaśmāmbuvarṣaṇaṃ
ແລະຍັງຈັດແບ່ງຕາມປະເພດແຫ່ງທານ/ເຄື່ອງບູຊາ ພ້ອມທັງຕາມຊັ້ນ ‘paura’ ອັນເປັນຫົວໜ້າ; ດັ່ງນັ້ນຈຶ່ງພັນລະນາຮູບລັກຂອງ vetāla, olkā, piśāca ແລະ śiva (ຈຳພວກສັດອະລັດ). ພວກມັນສາມາດແປງຮູບຕາມໃຈ ແລະໂຮຍລົງເປັນຝົນແຫ່ງອາວຸດ, ໄຟ, ຫີນ, ແລະນ້ຳ.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bhūta-vidyā diagnostics: identifying classes of vetāla/olkā/piśāca/śiva beings by their behaviors and manifestations; preparing appropriate śānti and protective rites against shape-shifting and violent ‘showers’ of elements.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇa of Vetāla–Olkā–Piśāca–Śiva Beings: Kāmarūpatva and Elemental Assaults","lookup_keywords":["vetala","pishacha","olka","kamarupa","shanti-kalpa"],"quick_summary":"These beings are characterized by willful shape-shifting and hostile manifestations such as raining weapons, fire, stones, and water. Classification by offering-types and principal groupings supports targeted pacification rites."}
Alamkara Type: Bhaya-adbhuta varṇana
Weapon Type: Weapons (generic śastra) as a supernatural ‘rain’
Concept: Invisible agencies can disturb human order; tradition responds through classification (lakṣaṇa) and remedial ritual (śānti) rather than panic.
Application: Use symptom-based identification (kāmarūpatva, elemental ‘rains’) to choose protective rites and community safety measures.
Khanda Section: Bhuta-Vidya / Apamarga (Graha–Vetala–Pishacha) Lakshana and Shanti-Kalpa
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A terrifying night scene: shadowy vetālas and piśācas shift forms at will; from the sky fall weapons, flames, stones, and torrents of water; a ritualist prepares protective rites at a fire altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of bhūta-vidyā scene, stylized vetālas/piśācas with exaggerated eyes, dynamic falling weapons and flames, ritualist by homa-kunda, bold outlines, deep earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with dramatic central homa-kunda in gold accents, surrounding supernatural beings in ornate yet fearsome forms, raining elements depicted with gold highlights, protective yantra motifs subtly embedded","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting didactic composition: labeled beings (vetāla, piśāca, olkā), arrows showing kāmarūpa transformations, falling śastra/agni/aśma/ambu, calm ritualist performing śānti","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature nocturne with detailed landscape, spectral figures transforming, meteor-like olkā streaks, stones and water rendered finely, a small group performing rites with lamps and fire"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"intense","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dānabhedaiś caiva → dāna-bhedaiḥ ca eva; śastrāgnyaśmāmbuvarṣaṇaṃ → śastra-agni-aśma-ambu-varṣaṇam; unclear token 'ja' retained as textual particle.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Bhūta-vidyā / Graha–Vetāla–Piśāca lakṣaṇa and Śānti-kalpa chapters (same khanda)
FAQs
It outlines Bhūta-vidyā style diagnostics: identifying spirit-classes (vetāla, piśāca, olkā, etc.) by their characteristic powers—especially shapeshifting and harm through ‘rains’ of weapons, fire, stones, or water—used to decide the appropriate śānti/appeasement measures.
By cataloging supernatural entities and their operational traits (abilities and modes of attack), it adds an occult-ritual taxonomy alongside the Purana’s other domains (law, polity, medicine, architecture), showing its compendium-like scope.
Correct recognition of the afflicting agency is presented as a prerequisite for proper appeasement and protection rites, supporting purification, restoration of ritual order, and reduction of harm arising from unseen influences.