Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 37
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
तथा वेतालिकान् ग्रहानिति घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः गन्धर्वान् राक्ससानपि इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः शटा इति ख, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः किञ्चिद्रूपं समास्याय वासुदेवास्य नाशय
tathā vetālikān grahāniti gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ gandharvān rāksasānapi iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ śaṭā iti kha, ṅa, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ kiñcidrūpaṃ samāsyāya vāsudevāsya nāśaya
അതുപോലെ ‘വേതാലികർ’യും ‘ഗ്രഹങ്ങൾ’യും—എന്ന് ഒരു ചിഹ്നിത പാണ്ഡുലിപി-പാഠം; ‘ഗന്ധർവന്മാരും’ ‘രാക്ഷസന്മാരും’ കൂടി—എന്ന് മറ്റൊരു ചിഹ്നിത പാഠം; ‘ശടാ’—എന്ന് രണ്ട് ചിഹ്നിത പാഠങ്ങൾ. ഏതൊരു രൂപവും സ്വീകരിച്ച്, ഹേ വാസുദേവാ, ഇവരെ നശിപ്പിക്കണമേ।
Lord Agni (teaching protective mantra-rites to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Raksha-vidhi addressing multiple classes of non-human afflictors (vetalikas, grahas, gandharvas, rakshasas, śaṭā), with textual-variant awareness for correct recitation in a given lineage.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Bhūta-graha-nāśana with Vāsudeva (textual variants: vetālika/gandharva/rākṣasa/śaṭā)","lookup_keywords":["vetalika","graha","gandharva","rakshasa","vasudeva"],"quick_summary":"A protective injunction to destroy various afflicting beings, noting manuscript variants—useful for ritualists choosing a received reading while maintaining the core intent: Vāsudeva destroys all such forces in any assumed form."}
Alamkara Type: Patha-bheda (variant readings) as a scholastic feature; imperative style
Concept: Sarvarūpa-dhāraṇa and sarva-śakti of Vāsudeva: the deity can assume any form to neutralize afflictors.
Application: Cultivate refuge (śaraṇāgati) in the protective aspect of the deity while performing disciplined ritual steps (purification, japa, offerings).
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra / Raksha-vidhi (Protective rites against bhutas and grahas)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An exorcistic protective scene: multiple classes of spirits and grahas are named and driven away as Vāsudeva manifests in a chosen form to destroy them.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Vishnu/Vasudeva in dynamic stance, surrounding dark vetala and rakshasa figures dissolving, grahas as stylized celestial heads, strong reds and blacks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Vāsudeva with gold aura, demons and grahas at the border subdued, ornate floral frame, heavy gold work emphasizing divine protection.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: labeled categories (graha, vetala, gandharva, rakshasa) shown as small icons, central Vāsudeva emitting protective light, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-time courtyard ritual with lamps, a priest reciting while spectral figures retreat into shadows, subtle depiction of Vāsudeva’s epiphany."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"exorcistic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: IAST contains critical apparatus notes (iti gha/kha etc.) not analyzed as padas; core padas taken: tathā vetālikān grahān gandharvān rākṣasān api śaṭāḥ kiñcidrūpam samāsyāya vāsudeva asya nāśaya. ‘समास्याय’ appears textually irregular; likely intended ‘समास्य’ (ल्यप्) or similar.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (bhūta-graha raksha sequence); Agni Purana mantra-prayoga sections where pāṭhāntara affects efficacy/lineage correctness
FAQs
It gives a rakṣā (protective) mantra-intent: invoking Vāsudeva to neutralize/drive away afflictive beings (grahas) and hostile spirit-classes (vetālikas, gandharvas, rākṣasas), including variant readings preserved in manuscripts.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves applied ritual technology—protective and exorcistic usage—along with textual-critical awareness (multiple manuscript readings), reflecting the Agni Purana’s wide scope across practical religious procedures.
Reliance on Vāsudeva for rakṣā is framed as purification and removal of obstructive forces, supporting dharmic living by safeguarding the practitioner from harmful influences and restoring ritual and mental clarity.