Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 62
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
दुर्गा विद्या च गान्धारी पान्तु त्वां शान्तिदाश् च ते लवणेक्षुसुरासर्पिदधिदुग्धजलाब्धयः
durgā vidyā ca gāndhārī pāntu tvāṃ śāntidāś ca te lavaṇekṣusurāsarpidadhidugdhajalābdhayaḥ
ଦୁର୍ଗା, ବିଦ୍ୟା ଓ ଗାନ୍ଧାରୀ ତୁମକୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରୁନ୍ତୁ; ଏବଂ ଲବଣ, ଇକ୍ଷୁରସ, ସୁରା, ଘୃତ, ଦଧି, ଦୁଗ୍ଧ ଓ ଜଳ—ଏହି ସମୁଦ୍ରମାନେ ତୁମକୁ ଶାନ୍ତି ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective recitation (śānti/abhaya) invoking goddesses and auspicious cosmic ‘oceans’ as benedictions for peace and safeguarding.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Śānti-rakṣā: Durgā–Vidyā–Gāndhārī and the Seven/Eight Oceans","lookup_keywords":["Durga","Shanti mantra","Gandhari","sapta samudra","protection"],"quick_summary":"A benedictory protection formula invoking Durgā and allied śaktis, followed by auspicious ‘oceans’ (salt, sugarcane-juice, liquor, ghee, curd, milk, water) to confer peace."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (soft alliteration in the ocean-list)
Concept: Śānti through śakti-invocation and auspicious cosmic imagery (samudra) as protective plenitude.
Application: Use in pūjā-vidhi openings/closings, travel blessings, rite of protection for household/kingdom, or before study/ritual.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-mantra (Protective Invocations and Benedictions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Cosmology
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective blessing scene: Durgā and personified Vidyā and Gāndhārī stand as guardians while seven symbolic oceans appear as concentric bands—salt, sugarcane-juice, liquor, ghee, curd, milk, and water—radiating peace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Durgā as guardian at center with trident and lotus, Vidyā as serene goddess holding palm-leaf book, Gāndhārī as protective śakti, behind them concentric stylized oceans in labeled color bands (salt white, ikṣu green, surā amber, ghṛta gold, dadhi ivory, dugdha milky, jala blue), temple-lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Durgā with gold halo and embossed ornaments, flanking Vidyā with book and rosary, Gāndhārī with protective gesture, decorative circular ‘oceans’ rendered with gold highlights and jewel tones, heavy gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, instructional labeling of the oceans in small cartouches, calm benedictory posture (abhaya mudrā), soft pastel background, emphasis on clarity and symmetry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical scene with three goddesses blessing a devotee, stylized waves in seven bands with delicate patterns, fine calligraphy labels, garden border and ornate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शान्तिदाश् च = शान्तिदाः + च (विसर्ग-सन्धि: ः + च → श् च); लवणेक्षु... = लवण + इक्षु (स्वर-सन्धि: अ + इ → ए) तथा बहुपद-द्वन्द्वसमास।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (Śānti-mantra cluster); Agni Purana mantra/stotra chapters (protective invocations)
FAQs
It gives a shānti-prayoga style protective invocation: specific śakti-names (Durgā, Vidyā, Gāndhārī) and the auspicious cosmological motif of the seven oceans are invoked as “peace-givers” to confer protection and pacification.
In a single benedictory line it blends mantra-ritual language (śānti, pāntu) with Purāṇic cosmology (the seven oceans of differing substances), illustrating how the Agni Purana compiles ritual procedure, theology, and cosmographic knowledge together.
Reciting or employing such invocations is meant to remove obstacles and inauspiciousness, establishing śānti (inner and outer pacification) and protective merit through remembrance of divine powers and auspicious cosmic symbols.