Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
सुसिद्धो ध्यानमात्रेण साधकं नाशयेदरिः दुष्टार्णप्रचुरो यः स्यान्मन्त्रः सर्वविनिन्दितः
susiddho dhyānamātreṇa sādhakaṃ nāśayedariḥ duṣṭārṇapracuro yaḥ syānmantraḥ sarvavininditaḥ
ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੁ-ਸਿੱਧ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਵੈਰੀ ਕੇਵਲ ਧਿਆਨ-ਮਾਤਰ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਧਕ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਦੂਸ਼ਿਤ/ਅਸ਼ੁਭ ਅੱਖਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਹ ਸਭ ਥਾਂ ਨਿੰਦਿਤ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Assess mantra integrity (akṣara-śuddhi) and recognize risks of hostile counter-meditation; avoid defective syllable-structures and employ protective measures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mantra-doṣa: Corrupt Syllables and Vulnerability to Counter-sādhana","lookup_keywords":["mantra-doṣa","duṣṭārṇa","akṣara-śuddhi","śatru dhyāna","sādhaka protection"],"quick_summary":"A mantra with defective/inauspicious syllables is condemned; even a perfected mantra-practice can be harmed by an enemy’s focused counter-meditation, so purity and protection are essential."}
Concept: Efficacy depends on śuddhi (purity) and safeguards; spiritual practice exists within a field of opposing wills (śatru-bhāva).
Application: Verify mantra from authentic lineage, maintain correct phonetics, avoid corrupted variants, and adopt protective observances (rakṣā, nyāsa, secrecy) against counter-practice.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra (Tantric Mantra-lakshana and Mantra-dosha)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka in meditation is shadowed by a rival performing counter-meditation; nearby, a manuscript shows corrupted syllables marked as defective, contrasting with a clean mantra text.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic contrast: serene sādhaka with aura, darker figure of enemy in background, stylized script panels showing pure vs corrupted akṣaras, protective yantra motifs around the sādhaka","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central sādhaka with gold aura and protective border, enemy figure subdued at edge, gold-highlighted manuscript with clear akṣaras, symbolic flames of purification","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic split composition: left—correct mantra syllables and calm sādhana; right—duṣṭārṇa-laden text and disturbed aura, fine line annotations","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, two chambers: one with sādhaka meditating, another with rival concentrating, detailed calligraphy sheets, subtle psychological tension, night-time lamp glow"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāśayet + ariḥ → nāśayed ariḥ (t/d sandhi). syāt + mantraḥ → syān mantraḥ (t→n before m).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (mantra-lakṣaṇa and doṣa discussion)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-śāstra criteria: (1) hostile meditative counter-action can harm a sādhaka, and (2) mantras containing defective/inauspicious syllables (duṣṭārṇa) are invalid and should be rejected.
It documents a technical rule-set for mantra evaluation (guṇa/doṣa) and practical concerns of ritual power and counter-rituals, showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied esoteric disciplines alongside broader dharma and vidyās.
It emphasizes discernment and purity in sacred sound: using flawed mantras is spiritually censured, while vigilance and correct practice are necessary to safeguard one’s sādhana from harmful influences.