Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 6
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
स्वाहा कर्कोटनागाय फट् पद्माय च वै नमः लिखेन्निग्रहचक्रन्तु एकाशीतिपदैर् नरः
svāhā karkoṭanāgāya phaṭ padmāya ca vai namaḥ likhennigrahacakrantu ekāśītipadair naraḥ
“କର୍କୋଟ ନାଗାୟ ସ୍ୱାହା; ଫଟ୍; ଏବଂ ପଦ୍ମାୟ ବୈ ନମଃ”—ଏହି ମନ୍ତ୍ର ଲେଖିବ। ନର ଏକାଶୀ ପଦ (ଅକ୍ଷର-ଏକକ) ଦ୍ୱାରା ନିଗ୍ରହ-ଚକ୍ର ଲିଖିବ।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Construction of a protective/controlling yantra (Nigraha-cakra) by inscribing a specified mantra and arranging it into an 81-pada syllabic scheme for restraint and protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nigraha-cakra (81-pada) with Karkoṭa–Padmā mantra","lookup_keywords":["Nigraha-cakra","81 padas","Karkoṭa nāga","phaṭ","yantra-lekhana"],"quick_summary":"Write the Karkoṭa–Padmā protective mantra and inscribe a restraining wheel-diagram composed of eighty-one syllabic units, used as a rakṣā device to bind/ward off harmful influences."}
Concept: Mantra becomes ‘operative’ when embodied in a structured diagram (cakra), where number and placement (81) are part of the power-technology.
Application: Prepare a standardized protective yantra by strict syllable-count and placement; use for rakṣā, nigraha (restraint), and vighna-śamana in rites.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra and Protective Rites (Raksha-kalpa / Mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circular yantra (wheel) divided into compartments, filled with syllables totaling 81; at the top the mantra ‘svāhā karkoṭanāgāya phaṭ padmāyai namaḥ’ is shown; a practitioner inscribes it carefully on a ritual surface.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold circular cakra with segmented petals/compartments, syllables in traditional script, nāga imagery coiled around the wheel, priest writing with stylus, warm lamp-lit temple interior.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted yantra wheel with embossed segments, central bindu, nāga motifs with jeweled hoods, priest seated with writing tools, rich ornamental borders and gilded accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical diagram clarity: 81-pada wheel with neat compartment lines, stepwise depiction of writing the mantra, minimal background, emphasis on legibility and structure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous calligraphy inside a circular diagram, scholar-priest at a low desk inscribing, fine geometric precision, subdued colors with detailed margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लिखेन्निग्रहचक्रन्तु = लिखेत् + निग्रहचक्रम् + तु (t + n → nn; m + t → nt in recitation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (rakṣā-kalpa; yantra/mantra for nāgas)
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-inscription procedure: invoking Karkoṭa Nāga and Padmā with the bīja-like force of “phaṭ,” and writing a Nigraha-cakra as a protective/containing yantra using a prescribed count of eighty-one syllabic units.
Beyond myth and theology, it preserves applied ritual technology—mantra, diagram (cakra/yantra), and precise numeric prescription—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical protective rites alongside broader dharma and sacred lore.
The rite is framed as apotropaic purification and restraint of harmful influences (especially serpent-related afflictions), aiming to secure protection, remove obstacles, and establish ritual safety through empowered mantra and sacred diagram.