Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 20
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
रक्षयेदात्मनो विद्यां प्रतिवादी यदा शिवः वारुण्यादि ततो न्यस्य ज्वरकाशविनाशनम्
rakṣayedātmano vidyāṃ prativādī yadā śivaḥ vāruṇyādi tato nyasya jvarakāśavināśanam
ਆਪਣੀ ਵਿਦਿਆ (ਮੰਤ੍ਰ-ਗਿਆਨ) ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰੇ। ਜਦੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਵਾਦੀ ਸ਼ਿਵ (ਸ਼ਾਂਤ/ਅਨੁਕੂਲ) ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਦ ਵਾਰੁਣੀ ਆਦਿ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਜ਼ਵਰ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਸ (ਖੰਘ) ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instructional narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-cikitsā/nyāsa application (Vāruṇī-ādi) aimed at alleviating jvara (fever) and kāsa (cough), with an admonition to protect one’s vidyā/mantra from misuse and to proceed when opposition is pacified (śiva).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vāruṇī-nyāsa for Jvara–Kāsa Vināśana","lookup_keywords":["jvara","kasa","varuni-nyasa","mantra-chikitsa","rakshayed-vidyam"],"quick_summary":"Instructs safeguarding mantra-knowledge and applying a Varuṇa-linked nyāsa sequence to destroy fever and cough once conditions are auspicious/pacified."}
Concept: Vidyā-rakṣaṇa (guarding sacred knowledge) and right-context application (kāla/pātra) as ethical constraints on operative mantra.
Application: Maintain secrecy/discipline around mantras; apply therapeutic nyāsa only when the situation is settled and intent is aligned with śānti (non-hostile, auspicious conditions).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Mantra-chikitsa / Jvara-nivāraṇa Prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A therapeutic rite: the practitioner performs nyāsa (placing mantra) with a water-pot symbolizing Vāruṇī/Varuṇa, while guarding a manuscript/vidyā; the patient with fever/cough sits nearby as the atmosphere becomes calm (śiva).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, calm healing scene with a blue-green Varuṇa water-pot motif, healer touching specific body points (nyāsa), patient wrapped in cloth, a small manuscript chest indicating vidyā-rakṣaṇa, serene palette and bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, healer and patient framed by gold-embossed halo motifs, prominent ornate kalaśa for Vāruṇī, subtle Varuṇa emblem, rich reds/greens with gold work emphasizing auspicious śānti","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic painting: clear depiction of nyāsa points with gentle arrows, water-pot and mantra-scroll, patient coughing/fever indicated minimally, soft shading and precise lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor apothecary-like setting with a scholar-healer performing a ritual touch, attendants holding a water vessel, patient seated on a carpet, detailed textiles and architectural niches, restrained colors"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"soothing","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रक्षयेदात्मनो = रक्षयेत् + आत्मनः; वारुण्यादि = वारुणी + आदि; ततो न्यस्य = ततः + न्यस्य; ज्वरकाशविनाशनम् = ज्वर-कास-विनाशनम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311.17 (śānti–puṣṭi application guidance); Agni Purana 311.18 (Vāruṇī operation in protective rites); Agni Purana 311.19 (mantra-cikitsā for disease)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-protection and a therapeutic nyāsa application—using a Varuṇa-associated formula (vāruṇyādi) to remove jvara (fever) and kāśa (cough).
It exemplifies the text’s integration of ritual technology (mantra + nyāsa) with practical health outcomes, showing how Purāṇic instruction spans both spirituality and applied medicine.
By safeguarding vidyā and applying it in a restrained, auspicious (śiva) state, the practice is framed as disciplined, dharmic use of sacred power—aimed at purification and relief from suffering.