Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
Abhiṣeka-Ādi-Kathana
Consecratory Bathing and Related Rites
भूपवन्मानवादीनामभिषेकादभीप्सितं आं श्रां श्रौं पशुं हूं फडिति अस्त्रराजाभिषेकतः
bhūpavanmānavādīnāmabhiṣekādabhīpsitaṃ āṃ śrāṃ śrauṃ paśuṃ hūṃ phaḍiti astrarājābhiṣekataḥ
Bagi raja-raja, para menteri, manusia dan yang lain-lain, hasil yang dihajati diperoleh melalui upacara abhiṣeka (penyucian/penobatan). Mantranya: “āṃ śrāṃ śrauṃ paśuṃ hūṃ phaḍ”—demikianlah, melalui abhiṣeka diraja bagi mantra astra (mantra senjata pelindung).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Royal abhiṣeka protection rite using an astra-mantra for legitimacy, security, and auspicious attainment in governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Astra-rāja Abhiṣeka Mantra (āṃ śrāṃ śrauṃ paśuṃ hūṃ phaḍ)","lookup_keywords":["abhiṣeka-mantra","astra-mantra","phaḍ","rāja-dharma","śrāṃ śrauṃ"],"quick_summary":"A concise protective weapon-mantra is prescribed for royal consecration to secure desired outcomes for rulers and officials; it functions as a ritualized apotropaic seal within rājyābhiṣeka."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon; protective invocation rather than a physical weapon)
Concept: Mantra as śakti for rājyābhiṣeka—ritual speech confers protection and siddhi in worldly rule.
Application: Use as a sanctioned protective utterance within consecration, emphasizing dharmic kingship guarded by mantra-śastra.
Khanda Section: Raja-dharma / Rajyabhisheka-Mantra (Royal consecration and governance rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal consecration scene: the king seated on a consecration throne, priests chanting a short astra-mantra while holding ritual implements; protective circle and weapons symbolically displayed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, rājābhiṣeka pavilion, king on ornate seat, brahmin priests chanting 'āṃ śrāṃ śrauṃ... phaḍ', ritual fire at side, conch and drum bearers, sacred geometry protection circle, traditional Kerala ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on crown and throne, king receiving abhiṣeka, priest with palm-leaf manuscript showing the mantra, stylized weapons as protective emblems, rich reds and greens, temple-pillared backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional clarity: priest pointing to mantra syllables, king seated, abhiṣeka vessels, yantra-like protective boundary, subdued palette with fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly abhiṣeka ceremony, detailed textiles and attendants, priest reciting astra-mantra, symbolic weapon motifs, architectural pavilion with perspective, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भूपवन्मानवादीनामभिषेकादभीप्सितम् → भूपवत् + मानव-आदीनाम् + अभिषेकात् + अभीप्सितम्. अस्त्रराजाभिषेकतः → अस्त्र-राज-अभिषेकतः. फडिति → फड् + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 90 (Abhiṣekādi-kathana); Agni Purana 91 (Vividha-mantrādi-kathana)
FAQs
It gives a mantra-prayoga used in rājābhiṣeka: a sequence of bīja-syllables (āṃ śrāṃ śrauṃ … hūṃ phaḍ) treated as an astra (protective ‘weapon’ mantra) to secure the desired outcome of consecration for rulers and associated persons.
Alongside theology and narrative, the Agni Purana preserves applied statecraft and ritual technology—here, a precise royal anointing formula with tantric-style bījas and astra-usage, showing its coverage of governance, liturgy, and mantra-vidhi in one corpus.
The consecration, fortified by an astra-mantra, is presented as a purifier and legitimizer of authority—ritually removing obstacles, establishing protection, and aligning kingship with dharma so the intended royal aims may be lawfully and auspiciously fulfilled.