Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 308 — Worship of Tvaritā (त्वरितापूजा)
न्यस्ताङ्गो न्यस्तमन्त्रस्तु समस्तं व्यापकं न्यसेत् पार्वती शवरी चेशा वरदाभयहस्तिका
nyastāṅgo nyastamantrastu samastaṃ vyāpakaṃ nyaset pārvatī śavarī ceśā varadābhayahastikā
ଅଙ୍ଗନ୍ୟାସ ଓ ମନ୍ତ୍ରନ୍ୟାସ କରି ସାରିଲେ ପରେ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବ୍ୟାପକ ନ୍ୟାସ କରିବା ଉଚିତ। ଦେବୀଙ୍କୁ ପାର୍ବତୀ, ଶବରୀ ଓ ଈଶା ରୂପେ ଧ୍ୟାନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ; ତାଙ୍କ ହସ୍ତ ଵରଦାନ ଓ ଅଭୟ ପ୍ରଦାନକାରୀ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"After aṅga-nyāsa and mantra-nyāsa, perform vyāpaka-nyāsa (all-pervasive placement) and meditate on Devī’s form (dhyāna) as boon-giving and fear-dispelling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vyāpaka-nyāsa and Devī-dhyāna (Varada–Abhaya)","lookup_keywords":["vyāpaka-nyāsa","aṅga-nyāsa","mantra-nyāsa","varada-abhaya","Pārvatī Śabarī Īśā"],"quick_summary":"Completes the nyāsa by extending it as all-pervasive, then fixes meditation on the Goddess as Pārvatī/Śabarī/Īśā with varada and abhaya gestures."}
Concept: From localized to all-pervasive sacralization: the practitioner’s field of awareness is expanded (vyāpaka) and stabilized by dhyāna on abhaya/varada śakti.
Application: Use ‘abhaya’ visualization to reduce fear-reactivity; use ‘varada’ visualization to orient practice toward beneficence and clarity of intention.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-nyasa (Mantra-nyasa and Devata-dhyana procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka completes nyāsa, then visualizes an all-pervading Devī whose two prominent hands show varada and abhaya; her presence fills the space like a luminous field.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Devī as serene yet powerful, varada-abhaya hands prominent, subtle overlay of pervading aura filling the shrine, sādhaka seated below, strong outlines and traditional ornaments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Devī with varada and abhaya mudrās, heavy gold jewelry and halo, radiant background suggesting vyāpaka pervasion, ornate arch and lotus pedestal","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear meditative scene: sādhaka with closed eyes, Devī appearing in soft glow, hands in varada/abhaya emphasized, gentle gradients and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, mystical vision scene: Devī’s luminous form expands beyond the frame, varada-abhaya gestures, sādhaka in a quiet chamber with incense, fine linework and delicate color washes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न्यस्ताङ्गो = न्यस्त + अङ्गः; न्यस्तमन्त्रस्तु = न्यस्तमन्त्रः + तु (विसर्ग-लोप); चेेशा = च + ईशा (ए-दीर्घ/सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 308.2 (nyāsa loci); Agni Purana 308.4 (dhyāna iconography details)
FAQs
It prescribes a sequence of ritual installations: first aṅga-nyāsa (placing mantras on the limbs), then mantra-nyāsa, and finally vyāpaka-nyāsa—an all-pervasive consecration that extends the mantra’s presence throughout the practitioner’s body/ritual field, alongside visualization of the Goddess in boon- and protection-bestowing gestures.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical liturgical technology—precise, stepwise Tantra-inflected worship methods (nyāsa and dhyāna-lakṣaṇa). This demonstrates how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of applied religious procedures alongside its many other domains.
Nyāsa is presented as sanctifying the body and ritual space as a seat of the deity’s power; contemplating the Devī as varada-abhaya (boon-giving and fear-removing) frames the practice toward protection, purification, and the accrual of merit through correctly embodied worship.