Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
Chapter 312 — Various Mantras (नानामन्त्राः)
संहारो भैरवो ब्राह्मीर्मुख्या ह्रस्वास्तु भैरबाः ब्रह्माणीषण्मुखा दीर्घा अग्न्यादौ वटुकाः क्रमात्
saṃhāro bhairavo brāhmīrmukhyā hrasvāstu bhairabāḥ brahmāṇīṣaṇmukhā dīrghā agnyādau vaṭukāḥ kramāt
“Saṃhāra” ialah Bhairava; dalam kalangan Brahmī, yang utama dinamai demikian. Para Bhairava ialah bentuk bīja yang pendek. Brahmāṇī ialah Ṣaṇmukhā, dan bentuk yang panjang (diperluas) juga diajarkan. Menurut tertib, bermula dengan Agni, para Vaṭuka disenaraikan.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s ritual/mantra classifications to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Nomenclature/technical mapping of Bhairava–Mātṛkā–Vaṭuka categories (short/long seed-forms and ordered enumeration) for correct nyāsa, japa, and āvaraṇa identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Bhairava–Brahmī–Vaṭuka Nāma-vyavasthā (Saṃhāra, hrasva/dīrgha, Agni-ādi krama)","lookup_keywords":["Bhairava","Brahmī","Mātṛkā","hrasva dīrgha","Vaṭuka"],"quick_summary":"Defines technical labels: ‘Saṃhāra’ as a Bhairava designation, distinguishes short (hrasva) and long (dīrgha) mantra-forms, and indicates an ordered Vaṭuka enumeration beginning with Agni."}
Concept: Correct ritual efficacy depends on precise identification of devatā-nāma and mantra-length (hrasva/dīrgha) within a structured system.
Application: When performing mātṛkā-nyāsa, bhairava-āvaraṇa, or vaṭuka-kavaca, select the correct short/long forms and follow the Agni-ādi order.
Khanda Section: Mantra-tantra & Devata-nama-nirukta (Bhairava–Matrika–Vatuka nomenclature)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palm-leaf manuscript page showing a schematic: Bhairava labeled ‘Saṃhāra’, a column for hrasva bījas and another for dīrgha expansions, and a sequence of Vaṭukas starting with Agni; a practitioner points while teaching.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, teacher-sage in a temple corridor instructing disciples, stylized manuscript and yantra board, small Bhairava and Mātṛkā icons in panels, warm lamp-lit tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Bhairava with gold halo, side medallions of Brahmī/Brahmāṇī and Vaṭuka figures, gold embossing on manuscript motifs, rich ornamental frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic chart-like composition: neat labeled compartments ‘hrasva’ and ‘dīrgha’, Agni-ādi sequence illustrated with small attendant figures, fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly setting with manuscripts and inkpot, a yogin explaining mantra taxonomy to students, small inset of Bhairava and Mātṛkā icons, intricate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्राह्मीर्मुख्या→ब्राह्मीः मुख्याः; ह्रस्वास्तु→ह्रस्वाः तु; ब्रह्माणीषण्मुखा→ब्रह्माणी षण्मुखा; अग्न्यादौ→अग्नि-आदौ (यण्-सन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana mantra-nirukta and devatā-nāma classification passages in 312 (adjacent verses); Agni Purana Bhairava/Kṣetrapāla/Vaṭuka name-lists continuing in 312.9–312.10
FAQs
It classifies deity-names/seed-forms used in mantra practice—distinguishing ‘short’ (hrasva) Bhairava-forms and ‘long’ (dīrgha) extended forms, and indicating an ordered enumeration of Vatukas beginning with Agni.
It exemplifies the text’s cataloguing method: the Agni Purana not only narrates mythology but also preserves technical lists and taxonomies of mantra-deities (Bhairava, Mātrikās, Vatukas), which function like a ritual reference manual.
By prescribing correct names, forms, and sequence (krama) for fierce protective deities, it supports accurate ritual deployment—aimed at purification, protection, and controlled dissolution (saṃhāra) of obstacles within sādhana.