Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
वं शं मं क्षं पाञ्चजन्यं छं तं पंकौस्तुभाय च जं खं वं सुदर्शनाय श्रीवत्साय सं वं दं चंलं
vaṃ śaṃ maṃ kṣaṃ pāñcajanyaṃ chaṃ taṃ paṃkaustubhāya ca jaṃ khaṃ vaṃ sudarśanāya śrīvatsāya saṃ vaṃ daṃ caṃlaṃ
(ਨਿਆਸ ਲਈ) ਬੀਜ ਅੱਖਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਨਿਆਸ ਕਰੋ—‘ਵੰ ਸ਼ੰ ਮੰ ਕ్షੰ’ ਪਾਂਚਜਨ੍ਯ ਸ਼ੰਖ ਉੱਤੇ; ‘ਛੰ ਤੰ ਪੰ’ ਕੌਸਤੁਭ ਮਣੀ ਉੱਤੇ; ‘ਜੰ ਖੰ ਵੰ’ ਸੁਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਚੱਕਰ ਉੱਤੇ; ਅਤੇ ‘ਸੰ ਵੰ ਦੰ’ ਸ਼੍ਰੀਵਤਸ ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਉੱਤੇ—ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਿਵ੍ਯ ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਅੱਖਰ ਸਥਾਪਿਤ ਕਰੋ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Performing Viṣṇu-pūjā nyāsa by installing bīja-syllables onto the Lord’s emblems (śaṅkha, kaustubha, cakra, śrīvatsa) to sacralize the body/altar and stabilize visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bīja-nyāsa on Viṣṇu’s emblems (Pāñcajanya–Kaustubha–Sudarśana–Śrīvatsa)","lookup_keywords":["nyāsa","bīja","pāñcajanya","sudarśana","śrīvatsa"],"quick_summary":"Assign specified bīja-syllables to Viṣṇu’s conch, jewel, discus, and chest-mark as part of mantra-nyāsa, strengthening ritual identification with the deity’s attributes."}
Weapon Type: Chakra (Sudarśana)
Concept: Mantra-śarīra: deity’s attributes become empowered loci through bīja-nyāsa, enabling identification (tādātmya) in worship.
Application: During pūjā, touch/visualize the emblem-loci while uttering bījas to ‘install’ the deity’s powers before upacāras.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa and Vishnu-upachara)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper performs nyāsa, touching/visualizing Viṣṇu’s conch, Kaustubha jewel, Sudarśana discus, and Śrīvatsa while uttering bīja-syllables; the emblems glow as syllables appear upon them.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Viṣṇu standing serene with Pāñcajanya and Sudarśana, Kaustubha and Śrīvatsa on chest, bīja-syllables rendered as glowing script on each emblem, deep earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu richly ornamented with gold leaf, prominent Kaustubha and Śrīvatsa, conch and discus highlighted, bīja-syllables as delicate gold inscriptions near each emblem, ornate arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional nyāsa scene: priest’s hand gestures (touch points) shown clearly, Viṣṇu icon with labeled emblems, soft colors, fine linework, manuscript-diagram feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly devotional setting with a Vaiṣṇava priest performing nyāsa before a Viṣṇu image, tiny Devanāgarī bījas floating near conch/jewel/discus/mark, detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No significant sandhi; sequence largely consists of mantra-bīja syllables plus dative forms (कौस्तुभाय, सुदर्शनाय, श्रीवत्साय).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (Pūjā-vidhi: nyāsa, aṅga-vinyāsa, kavaca/astra)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-nyāsa: the practical placement/assignment of specific bīja-syllables onto Vishnu’s emblems (conch, Kaustubha jewel, discus, and Śrīvatsa) as part of formal pūjā and internal visualization.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied liturgy—precise ritual micro-instructions (nyāsa and bīja deployment) that function like a manual for temple/home worship, showing the text’s coverage of technical devotional practice.
Nyāsa is intended to sacralize the worshipper’s action and visualization, aligning body, speech, and mind with Vishnu’s auspicious powers; it is traditionally held to purify the rite and strengthen devotional concentration (bhakti) and merit (puṇya).