Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 13
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
नामाद्यं सवराकं स्याद्देवाच्छक्रसमन्वितम् शिरो हतं तत्पुरुषेण ओमाद्यञ्च नमो ऽन्तकम्
nāmādyaṃ savarākaṃ syāddevācchakrasamanvitam śiro hataṃ tatpuruṣeṇa omādyañca namo 'ntakam
ମନ୍ତ୍ରଟି ସ୍ୱରସହିତ ‘ନ’ ଅକ୍ଷରରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେଉ। ତାହା ‘ଦେବ’ ପଦ ସହ ଯୁକ୍ତ ଓ ବିଧିଅନୁସାରେ ‘ଶକ୍ର’ ତତ୍ତ୍ୱରେ ସମନ୍ୱିତ ହେଉ। ‘ଶିରଃ’ ଭାଗ ତତ୍ପୁରୁଷ-ମନ୍ତ୍ରଦ୍ୱାରା ନ୍ୟାସିତ ହେଉ; ଏହା ‘ଓଁ’ ରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇ ‘ନମଃ’ ରେ ସମାପ୍ତ ହେଉ।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual/mantra procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Mantra-śodhana/formation rules for a Tatpuruṣa-linked Śiva/Puruṣa mantra: specifying initial syllable, additions (deva, śakra-element), and framing with Oṃ…namaḥ for nyāsa and japa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mantra-śodhana: na-ādi, deva-yukta, śakra-samanvita; Oṃ-ādi namaḥ-antaka (Tatpuruṣa-śiras)","lookup_keywords":["mantra-śodhana","Tatpuruṣa","śiras-nyāsa","Oṃ-ādi namaḥ","na-ādi"],"quick_summary":"Form the mantra with a prescribed na-initial syllable and adjuncts (deva and śakra-element), apply the Tatpuruṣa ‘head’ placement in nyāsa, and frame the mantra from Oṃ to namaḥ."}
Concept: Śabda (mantra) is effective when correctly constituted (varṇa/svara order) and ritually installed (nyāsa) with proper framing (praṇava and namaḥ).
Application: Use the rule-set as a checklist before japa/nyāsa: correct seed/initial, prescribed epithets, correct limb-placement (śiras), and proper opening/closing.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Nyāsa and Mantra-śodhana for Purusha/Śiva-mantras)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performing śiras-nyāsa while reciting a mantra framed by Oṃ and namaḥ; syllables (na, deva, śakra-element) shown as written phonetic components around the head region.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: yogic figure seated, right hand touching head for śiras-nyāsa, stylized Sanskrit syllables floating (Oṃ, na, deva, namaḥ), temple lamp glow, flat earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: seated sādhaka with ornate aureole, gold-highlighted Oṃ above, ‘namaḥ’ below, decorative script panels showing na-ādi and deva/śakra components, rich textile details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic instructional plate—human outline with head labeled śiras, arrows indicating nyāsa placement, mantra components in neat Devanāgarī, soft colors and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-priest in a pavilion writing mantra components on a folio, then touching the head in nyāsa; delicate calligraphy borders, subdued jewel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याद्देवाच्छक्रसमन्वितम् = स्यात् देवात् शक्रसमन्वितम्; ओमाद्यञ्च = ओम्-आद्यम् च; नमो ऽन्तकम् = नमः अन्तकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317 (mantra-vidhi; nyāsa and mantra-śodhana sequence)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule for constructing/applying a mantra: how it begins (with ‘na’ and Oṃ), how it ends (with namaḥ), and how the ‘śiras’ (head) nyāsa is to be applied using the Tatpuruṣa-mantra.
Beyond myths and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves precise tantric-ritual mechanics—mantra formation, nyāsa placement, and prescribed syllabic combinations—showing its scope as a practical ritual handbook.
Correct mantra structure and nyāsa are taught as safeguards for efficacy and purity: aligning sound, invocation (Oṃ…namaḥ), and bodily placement (śiras with Tatpuruṣa) to support focused worship and purification.