Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
ॐ ह्रीं क्षूं छन्द छन्द चतुरः कण्ठकान् कालरात्रिकां ऐशादावम्बुपादौ च यमराज्यञ्च वाह्यतः कालीनारवमाली कालीनामाक्षमालिनी
oṃ hrīṃ kṣūṃ chanda chanda caturaḥ kaṇṭhakān kālarātrikāṃ aiśādāvambupādau ca yamarājyañca vāhyataḥ kālīnāravamālī kālīnāmākṣamālinī
ॐ—ह्रीं व क्षूं या बीजांसह—चारही छंदांचे पुनःपुन्हा आवाहन करावे; कंठरक्षकांचा न्यास करावा आणि कालरात्रिकेचे स्मरण करावे। ईशान दिशेपासून जल-पाद (शुद्धीचा आधार) स्थापावा व बाह्यतः यमराज्याचे आवरण करावे। अशा प्रकारे काली नादमाळेने विभूषित व अक्षरमाळा (अक्षमाळा) धारण करणारी होते।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Agni Purana teachings to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Nyāsa/kavaca-style protective placement using bīja-s, directional sealing, and Devī-identification for ritual safety and warding of death/inauspicious forces.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kālī-Kavaca Nyāsa with Hrīṃ–Kṣūṃ and Chandas-Sealing","lookup_keywords":["hrīṃ","kṣūṃ","kālī kavaca","chandas nyāsa","diśā-bandhana"],"quick_summary":"A protection formula that installs bīja-s and metrical powers (chandas) as a ritual armor, seals directions beginning with Īśāna, and identifies the practitioner with Kālī’s fierce protective field."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic bīja-patterning)
Concept: Śabda (bīja/chandas) as protective power; dik-bandhana and devatā-tādātmya (identity with the deity) as ritual security.
Application: Use in kavaca/nyāsa before japa, homa, or liminal rites to prevent obstacles and fear of death/inauspicious forces.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Tantric Devī-mantra and Kavaca/Protection Formulas)
Primary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka performing Kālī-kavaca nyāsa: bīja-s glowing at the throat and limbs, directions sealed from Īśāna onward, with Kālī/Kālarātrī appearing bearing an akṣa-mālā and fierce garland, while a boundary to Yama’s realm is ritually marked.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral colors, Kālī/Kālarātrī frontal stance with akṣa-mālā, sādhaka in ritual posture applying nyāsa to throat and limbs, directional guardians faintly indicated, sacred geometry aura, high contrast reds/blacks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Kālī with gold-leaf halo and ornate jewelry, akṣa-mālā emphasized, sādhaka at lower corner performing nyāsa, directional emblems around, rich maroon background, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: labeled directions (Īśāna etc.), sādhaka placing bīja-s on body points, Kālī icon at side with rosary, clean lines, soft palette, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision applied to tantric scene: sādhaka in a pavilion-like ritual space, compass-like directions around, spectral Yama-boundary outside frame, Kālī appearing in dark aura with rosary, fine brushwork and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यमराज्यञ्च = यमराज्यम् + च (anusvāra/ñc sandhi). ऐशादौ = ऐशात् + आदौ (t/d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (Mantra-vidyā: Devī-mantra, kavaca, rakṣā)
FAQs
It encodes a Devī-mantra procedure using bījas (hrīṃ, kṣūṃ) and a directional/protective installation (nyāsa/rakṣā) invoking Kālarātrī/Kālī, with emphasis on guarding the throat region and establishing an outer protective boundary.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also preserves applied ritual technologies—bīja-mantras, direction-based placements, and protective rites—showing its breadth as a compendium of practical religious disciplines.
Invoking fierce Devī forms (Kālarātrī/Kālī) with bījas and protective placements is intended to remove fear, ward off harmful forces, and strengthen spiritual resolve against death-associated anxieties symbolized by Yama’s domain.