Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
सूर्याद्याश् च ग्रहाः पान्तु मनुः स्वायम्भुवादिकः स्वायम्भुवः स्वारोचिष औत्तमिस्तामसो मनुः
sūryādyāś ca grahāḥ pāntu manuḥ svāyambhuvādikaḥ svāyambhuvaḥ svārociṣa auttamistāmaso manuḥ
सूर्यादि ग्रह माझे रक्षण करो; आणि स्वायंभुवादी मनु—म्हणजे स्वायंभुव, स्वारोचिष, औत्तमि व तामस मनु—हेही रक्षण करो.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, within a rakṣā/graha-śānti context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Graha-śānti and rakṣā: reciting protective invocations to navagrahas and manvantara Manus for averting obstacles, stabilizing fortune, and sanctifying transitions (travel, initiation, illness-recovery rites).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Graha–Manu-rakṣā (Protection by planets and Manus)","lookup_keywords":["Sūrya","Graha-śānti","Svāyambhuva Manu","Svārociṣa","Tāmasa"],"quick_summary":"A protective formula invoking cosmic regulators—planets and early Manus—as guardians, suitable for śānti rites and daily protective remembrance."}
Concept: Cosmic order is maintained by grahas and Manus; aligning with them through mantra fosters protection and harmony.
Application: Use in graha-śānti, before major undertakings, and as a daily protective recollection to cultivate steadiness amid perceived planetary influences.
Khanda Section: Raksha-Mantra / Graha-Shanti (Protective invocations to planets and cosmic rulers)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee under a protective canopy of the Navagrahas, with four Manu-sages standing behind, all bestowing blessings; the Sun prominent at the top.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, navagraha row with Sūrya central and radiant, other grahas in traditional colors, four Manu ṛṣis behind with kamaṇḍalu, devotee in añjali, temple shrine ambiance","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold halos for Sūrya and grahas, embossed ornaments, Manus as serene sages, protective aura encircling the devotee, rich red background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, orderly iconographic layout of navagrahas with labels, Manus in a side panel, clean devotional composition suitable for instructional use","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly astrologer-priest performing śānti with lamps and offerings, grahas depicted in the sky as personified figures, Manus as ascetics near a riverbank hermitage"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूर्याद्याश्→सूर्याद्याः; औत्तमिस्तामसो→औत्तमिः+तामसः (सन्धि: इः + त्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: navagraha/śānti materials (general); Agni Purana 219.15 (continuation of Manu list)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga (protective invocation) that calls upon the grahas (planetary powers) and the early Manus as guardians, functioning as a graha-śānti/āpad-rakṣā formula within a larger protective recitation.
By combining jyotiṣa-oriented graha concepts with Purāṇic cosmology (the succession of Manus), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s wide scope—ritual protection, planetary theology, and cosmic governance appearing together in a practical liturgical unit.
Invoking grahas and Manus frames protection as alignment with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma): it is meant to pacify adverse influences, strengthen auspiciousness, and support purity and steadiness of mind during rites or times of danger.