Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 17
Vidyā-viśodhana-vidhāna
Procedure for Purifying Mantra-Vidyā
अस्त्रेण पाशशैथिल्यं मलशक्तिं तिरोहितां छेदनं मर्दनं तेषां वर्तुलीकरणं तथा
astreṇa pāśaśaithilyaṃ malaśaktiṃ tirohitāṃ chedanaṃ mardanaṃ teṣāṃ vartulīkaraṇaṃ tathā
Dengan astra (senjata-mantra), ikatan menjadi longgar; kuasa pencemaran musuh dijadikan tidak berkesan dan terselubung; dan juga dilakukan pemotongan, penghancuran, serta pemusingan melingkar (mengacaukan) terhadap mereka.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Astravidyā effects-list: describes operational outcomes of an astra—loosening bonds, neutralizing enemy power, and producing cutting/crushing/whirling disorientation—useful for training, classification, and ritualized weapon deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Astra-Kārya: Bond-Loosening, Neutralization, Cutting, Crushing, Whirling","lookup_keywords":["astra","pāśa-śaithilya","chedana","mardana","vartuḷīkaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates the functional effects attributed to an astra: it loosens bindings, suppresses hostile power, and causes cutting, crushing, and circular disorientation."}
Weapon Type: Astra (missile/weapon empowered by mantra; could be arrow-based or invoked projectile)
Concept: Applied knowledge of weapon-effects (kārya) and controlled force: power is framed as a technical capability with enumerated outcomes.
Application: Use as a taxonomy for astra outcomes when teaching or documenting martial systems; integrate with ethical constraints from dharma texts for legitimate use.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Astravidya / Weapon-mantras and missile-techniques)
Primary Rasa: veera
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior-sage releases a mantra-empowered missile; visible effects show ropes/bonds loosening, a dark hostile aura being suppressed, and the target forces being cut, crushed, and spun into disorientation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic archer with stylized bow, luminous astra streak, enemy bonds depicted as serpentine ropes unraveling, swirling circular motif around foes, bold flat colors and temple aesthetics.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, warrior with gold-embossed armor accents, astra as a gold flame-arrow, broken fetters in gold leaf, circular whirl motif around enemy, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic battlefield: panels labeling effects—pāśa-śaithilya, chedana, mardana, vartuḷīkaraṇa—clean lines and controlled palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dynamic battle vignette, fine depiction of arrow flight, subtle supernatural aura around projectile, enemies shown stumbling in a circular swirl, detailed landscape and costumes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पाशशैथिल्यं → पाश-शैथिल्यम्; वर्तुलीकरणं → वर्तुली-करणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 86 (Dhanurveda/Astravidyā subsection)
FAQs
It lists practical effects attributed to an astra in Astravidyā: releasing bindings (pāśa-śaithilya), suppressing hostile/defiling power (mala-śakti-tirohita), and offensive actions like cutting (chedana), crushing (mardana), and inducing circular whirling/disorientation (vartulī-karaṇa).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s catalog-style treatment of specialized disciplines by summarizing operational outcomes of astras—bridging mantra-technology, battlefield tactics, and protective measures within its Dhanurveda/Astravidyā sections.
By framing weapon-use as regulated vidyā (knowledge) with defined functions, the text implies disciplined, dharma-aligned application—emphasizing protection, removal of restraints, and controlled neutralization of harmful forces rather than uncontrolled violence.