Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 25
Chapter 299 — ग्रहहृन्मन्त्रादिकम्
Grahahṛn-Mantras and Allied Procedures
वह्नीशरक्षो मरुताम् किक्षु पूज्या हृदादयः स्वमन्त्रैः कर्णिकान्तस्था दिक्ष्वस्त्रं पुरतः सदृक्
vahnīśarakṣo marutām kikṣu pūjyā hṛdādayaḥ svamantraiḥ karṇikāntasthā dikṣvastraṃ purataḥ sadṛk
अग्नी, ईश (शिव), रक्षक-देवता (रक्षः) आणि मरुत यांची पूजा करावी. नंतर हृदयादि न्यास स्वस्व मंत्रांनी कमळाच्या कर्णिकेच्या अंतभागी स्थापावेत; दिशांमध्ये अस्त्र-मंत्राचा विन्यास करून, समोर रक्षणार्थ सदृक् (रक्षक दृष्टि/आवरण) स्थापावे।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual protection and empowerment: worship of Agni, Īśa, rakṣa-deities, and Maruts; perform hṛdādi-nyāsa on the lotus-karnikā; apply astra-mantra for dik-bandhana and frontal protective barrier.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dik-bandhana with hṛdādi-nyāsa and astra-mantra","lookup_keywords":["dik-bandhana","astra-mantra","hṛdādi-nyāsa","karnikā","Marut"],"quick_summary":"After worshipping protective deities, place the heart-and-limbs nyāsas at the lotus center and seal the directions with the astra-mantra, establishing a guarded ritual space."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric weapon) as protective ‘weapon-mantra’
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on rakṣā (protection) and internal placement (nyāsa) before external offerings; the sādhaka constructs a mantra-body and a guarded field.
Application: Before major japa/homa/pūjā, perform dik-bandhana and hṛdādi-nyāsa to reduce distraction, fear, and ritual obstacles (vighna).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Mantra-nyasa and Dik-bandhana)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual lotus diagram with the sādhaka placing nyāsa at the karnikā, while guardian deities stand in the quarters; a luminous ‘astra’ barrier forms around and in front.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized lotus-yantra on floor, Agni and Īśa icon panels, Maruts in the directions, priest performing mudrās; glowing circular boundary indicating dik-bandhana.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate directional guardians around a central lotus; gold-leaf ring as protective astra-field; priest with ritual implements; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional depiction of lotus with labeled karnikā, arrows to directions for astra application; clean composition, manuscript-like clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor shrine scene with geometric lotus diagram, attendants, subtle light ring marking protection; detailed costumes; calligraphic ‘astra’ near the perimeter."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्णिकान्तस्थाः = कर्णिका + अन्त + स्थाः; दिक्ष्वस्त्रम् = दिक्षु + अस्त्रम् (उ + अ → व).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 299 (nyāsa, ṣaḍaṅga, protective rites sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a protective worship sequence: invoke and worship Agni, Īśa, guardian powers and the Maruts, then perform hṛdaya-ādi nyāsa with specific mantras, and finally apply the astra-mantra in the directions and in front as a protective barrier.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves operational ritual technology—nyāsa placements, lotus-seat visualization, and directional warding (dik-bandhana) using the astra-mantra—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical mantra-śāstra and temple/household worship procedure.
By establishing nyāsa and directional protection, the practitioner ritually purifies the body-mind as a fit seat for deity-presence and prevents obstructive influences, supporting steadiness (śuddhi, rakṣā) and the successful completion (siddhi) of worship.