Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 31
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
ओंभूर्भुवः स्वःकवचं सत्यात्मने ततो ऽस्त्रकं विन्यस्य पूजयेद्विष्णुं जपेद्वै भुक्तिमुक्तये
oṃbhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥkavacaṃ satyātmane tato 'strakaṃ vinyasya pūjayedviṣṇuṃ japedvai bhuktimuktaye
‘ଓଁ ଭୂର୍ଭୁବଃ ସ୍ୱଃ’ ଏହି କବଚ-ମନ୍ତ୍ରକୁ ସତ୍ୟାତ୍ମ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିମିତ୍ତେ ନିଜ ଉପରେ ନ୍ୟାସ କରି, ପରେ ଅସ୍ତ୍ର-ନ୍ୟାସ କରି, ବିଷ୍ଣୁଙ୍କୁ ପୂଜା କରି ଭୋଗ ଓ ମୋକ୍ଷ ପାଇଁ ଜପ କରିବା ଉଚିତ।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Daily protective practice (kavaca + astra-nyasa) preceding Vishnu-puja and japa for both worldly welfare and liberation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhūr-bhuvaḥ-svaḥ Kavaca and Astra-nyāsa before Viṣṇu-japa","lookup_keywords":["kavaca","astra-nyasa","bhur bhuvah svah","Vishnu-upasana","bhukti-mukti"],"quick_summary":"Install the protective kavaca-mantra and perform astra-nyāsa, then worship Viṣṇu and do japa aiming at both bhukti (well-being) and mukti (liberation)."}
Concept: Bhur-bhuvaḥ-svaḥ as protective kavaca; worship and japa as a unified means to bhukti and mukti.
Application: Frame japa with nyāsa for steadiness, protection, and single-pointed devotion; keep the goal explicit (bhukti-mukti).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kavaca and Vishnu-upasana (Protective rites and liberation-oriented japa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated before a Viṣṇu altar performs kavaca-nyāsa with the vyāhṛtis, then astra-nyāsa, and begins focused japa for bhukti and mukti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep earthy reds and greens, sādhaka with sacred thread and rudrākṣa, Viṣṇu in the background with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma, hands showing nyāsa gestures, lamp-lit sanctum ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed Viṣṇu on a pedestal, ornate arch, sādhaka in front performing nyāsa, rich textiles, embossed jewelry, ritual vessels and tulasī, luminous devotional composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: labeled nyāsa points on the body, small Viṣṇu icon on altar, japa-mālā in hand, minimal but precise ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior turned into a shrine room, fine detailing of mala beads and manuscripts, sādhaka performing nyāsa, Viṣṇu image on a small throne, delicate borders and calligraphy panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective-devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: oṃbhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥkavacaṃ → oṃ | bhūḥ | bhuvaḥ | svaḥ | kavacam. tato 'strakaṃ → tataḥ | astrakam. pūjayedviṣṇuṃ → pūjayet | viṣṇum. japedvai → japet | vai. bhuktimuktaye is a dvandva compound in dative singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 371 (kavaca/nyāsa/japa context); Agni Purana sections on Viṣṇu-pūjā-vidhi and mantra-kavaca
FAQs
It teaches a protective ritual sequence: applying the vyāhṛti-based kavaca, performing astra-nyāsa (weapon-mantra placement), then worshiping Viṣṇu and doing japa aimed at both protection and spiritual attainment.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of practical liturgy—kavaca, nyāsa, pūjā, and japa—presented as a structured procedure, alongside its many other domains (statecraft, medicine, warfare, poetics).
The rite is framed as yielding both bhukti (well-being/prosperity and protection in worldly life) and mukti (liberation), indicating a practice that integrates devotional merit with soteriological intent.