Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
Rudra-śānti (रुद्रशान्ति)
कार्येति ख शिवः शिखा तथा ज्योतिः सवित्रश्चेतिगोचराः गोचरन्तु कुलं ज्ञेयं तेन लक्ष्यस्तु दीक्षितः
kāryeti kha śivaḥ śikhā tathā jyotiḥ savitraścetigocarāḥ gocarantu kulaṃ jñeyaṃ tena lakṣyastu dīkṣitaḥ
‘Kārya’, ‘Kha’, ‘Śiva’, ‘Śikhā’, ‘Jyotis’, dan ‘Savitr’—inilah istilah-istilah yang harus diperlakukan sebagai “gocara” (penanda operatif). Melalui himpunan gocara, dikenalilah kula (klen/garis keturunan inisiasi); dengan itu, orang yang telah didīkṣā (dīkṣita) dapat dikenal pasti dengan tepat.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing Vashistha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Initiatory taxonomy: using specific technical markers (gocara terms) to identify kula/lineage and correctly classify an initiate within a Śaiva/Tantric system.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gocara-lakṣaṇa for kula-parijñāna (Kārya, Kha, Śiva, Śikhā, Jyotis, Savitr)","lookup_keywords":["gocara","kula","dīkṣita","śikhā","jyotis"],"quick_summary":"A fixed set of operative indicators called gocaras—named here as Kārya, Kha, Śiva, Śikhā, Jyotis, Savitr—serves to recognize the initiatory kula and thereby identify the dīkṣita accurately."}
Concept: Initiation is not merely personal but lineage-coded; correct recognition of kula through agreed markers preserves mantra integrity and ritual authorization.
Application: In dīkṣā administration or verification, use the stated gocara set as a checklist to avoid mixing lineages/mantras and to maintain procedural validity.
Khanda Section: Mantra- and Diksha-vidhi (Tantric/Pauranic initiation terminology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru instructs a disciple during initiation, pointing to a palm-leaf list of six gocara terms; behind them are symbolic emblems: sky/space (kha), flame/light (jyotis), sun (savitr), top-knot (śikhā), and Śiva sign.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru-disciple dīkṣā scene, palm-leaf manuscript with six terms, symbolic icons (sun, flame, space motif), temple interior austerity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and dīkṣita with gold accents on manuscript and sacred symbols, stylized sun (Savitr) and flame (Jyotis), ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic layout: six gocara terms visually separated, guru pointing, clean lines and soft shading, emphasis on taxonomy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly initiation setting, detailed manuscript calligraphy, symbolic objects arranged like a study, refined facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: savitraśceti = savitṛḥ + ca + iti (ḥ + c → śc); lakṣyastu = lakṣyaḥ + tu (ḥ → s before t). gocarantu read as gocaram + tu (orthographic fusion in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana dīkṣā-vidhi and mantra-nyāsa discussions in the same ritual cluster (early/mid 320s)
FAQs
It teaches a technical method of recognizing an initiate’s tradition (kula) using defined “gocara” markers—specific terms/syllables and identifiers (e.g., śikhā, jyotis, savitr) treated as operative indicators in initiation discourse.
Beyond myth, it preserves a compact ritual taxonomy—how lineages are classified and how initiates are identified—showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of practical religious-technical knowledge (mantra/dīkṣā vocabulary and procedural identification).
Correctly identifying the dīkṣita and their kula safeguards ritual correctness (adhikāra), preventing misapplication of mantras/rites and thereby supporting purity, efficacy, and the intended religious merit of the initiation.