Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
Chapter 315: नानामन्त्राः
Various Mantras
खेछेति च प्रयोगो ऽयं विघ्नदुष्टादि वारयेत् ह्रूं स्त्रीं ओमितियोगो ऽयं योषिदादिवशीकरः
khecheti ca prayogo 'yaṃ vighnaduṣṭādi vārayet hrūṃ strīṃ omitiyogo 'yaṃ yoṣidādivaśīkaraḥ
‘खे’ या उच्चाराचा हा प्रयोग विघ्न व दुष्ट शक्ती इत्यादींना आळा घालतो। ‘ह्रूं स्त्रीं ॐ’ असा योग स्त्री इत्यादींचे वशीकरण करणारा आहे।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Two prayogas: (1) ‘khe’ utterance for obstacle/duṣṭa warding; (2) bīja-combination (hrūṃ + strīṃ + oṃ) for vaśīkaraṇa (subjugation/influence).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vighna-duṣṭa-nivāraṇa ‘khe’ prayoga and hrūṃ–strīṃ–oṃ vaśīkaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["khe","vighna","duṣṭa","hrūṃ","vaśīkaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Assigns specific outcomes to compact bīja-utterances: obstacle/malefic warding and influence/subjugation over women and others."}
Concept: Mantra is presented as a functional technology: distinct phonemes map to distinct worldly effects (vighna-nāśa, vaśīkaraṇa).
Application: Use as categorized prayogas—protective vs. influence-oriented—keeping intention and ethical restraint aligned with dharma in practice.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Tantric Prayoga and Vashi-karana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two scenes: first, a protective circle where ‘khe’ wards off shadowy obstacles; second, a ritualist chanting hrūṃ–strīṃ–oṃ with symbolic ‘attraction/influence’ motifs (threads/lotus-rays) directed toward a target figure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, protective mandala with ‘khe’ inscribed, dark vighna-figures repelled; second vignette shows subtle influence rays from bīja-syllables, traditional flat perspective and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted mantra syllables around a protective yantra; second panel with lotus and gentle radiance indicating vaśīkaraṇa, ornate jewelry and rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: protective boundary and repelled obstacles; separate frame for hrūṃ–strīṃ–oṃ chant with labeled bīja text, calm instructional tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal courtyard ritual with lamp, obstacles as allegorical figures at the edge; second scene in a garden pavilion with subtle symbolic attraction, fine detailing and calligraphic bīja cartouches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bageshri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रयोगो ऽयं→प्रयोगः अयम्; योगो ऽयं→योगः अयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Nānāmantrāḥ (ch. 315)
FAQs
It teaches two mantra-prayogas: (1) a “khe”-based utterance for preventing obstacles and malefic influences, and (2) a bīja-mantra combination “hrūṃ–strīṃ” with “oṃ” used for vaśīkaraṇa (subjugation/attraction).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs applied disciplines; here it preserves concise, technical mantra-vidyā instructions—protective rites and influence-oriented prayogas—alongside its many other subjects.
The protection-prayoga is framed as removing impediments (vighna) and hostile forces; the vaśīkaraṇa instruction reflects a results-oriented ritual technology, traditionally treated as powerful and ethically consequential due to its intent to influence others.