Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 22
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
भूर्जे रोचनया लिख्य एतद्वज्राकुलं पुरम् क्रमस्थैर् मन्त्रवीजैस्तु रक्षां देहेषु कारयेत्
bhūrje rocanayā likhya etadvajrākulaṃ puram kramasthair mantravījaistu rakṣāṃ deheṣu kārayet
ਭੂਰਜ-ਪੱਤਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਗੋਰੋਚਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਇਹ ‘ਵਜ੍ਰਾਕੁਲ’ ਰੱਖਿਆ-ਯੰਤਰ ਦਾ ਕਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਲਿਖ ਕੇ, ਕ੍ਰਮਬੱਧ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ-ਬੀਜਾਂ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਦੇਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ-ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਕਰਵਾਈ ਜਾਵੇ।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in a didactic narrative frame typical of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Preparation of a protective yantra (‘Vajrākula-pura’) on bhūrja-patra using gorocanā, followed by mantra-bīja sequencing for bodily protection rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vajrākula Protective Yantra on Birch-bark with Gorocanā","lookup_keywords":["vajrākula","yantra-lekhana","bhūrja-patra","gorocanā","mantra-bīja"],"quick_summary":"Gives a ritual-technical method: inscribe the Vajrākula ‘fortress’ yantra on birch-bark with gorocanā and apply protection to persons through correctly ordered bīja-mantras."}
Concept: Rakṣā through mantra–yantra integration: form (yantra) + sound (bīja) + correct order (krama) yields protective efficacy.
Application: Use in apotropaic rites: preparing an amulet/diagram and performing rakṣā on individuals (deheṣu) via mantra-krama.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Raksha & Yantra-Lekhana (Protective rites; Tantra-influenced ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist writes a geometric ‘fortress’ yantra on birch-bark using yellow gorocanā, then performs protective application on devotees with bīja-mantras in a fixed sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, ritualist seated with bhūrja-patra, stylus dipped in gorocanā, bold yantra geometry, devotees nearby, lamp-lit sanctum feel, earthy reds and yellows","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yantra on birch-bark with gold accents, priest performing rakṣā, rich textiles, gold leaf aura around the diagram","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear diagrammatic yantra, step-by-step feel, priest writing bīja syllables in neat Devanagari, calm palette and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like precision, scholar-priest inscribing yantra on bark, attendants holding ink/pigment, detailed geometric diagram, interior setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एतद्वज्राकुलम् = एतत्-वज्र-आकुलम्; मन्त्रवीजैस्तु = मन्त्र-बीजैः + तु; क्रमस्थैर् = क्रम-स्थैः (रेफ-सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (Mantra-rakṣā / Yantra-lekhana subsections)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-vidhi: inscribing a protective ‘Vajrākula’ “fortress” on bhūrja (birch-bark) using gorocanā pigment and applying protection through properly sequenced mantra-bīja (seed syllables).
Beyond myth and theology, it preserves practical ritual technology—materials (bhūrja, gorocanā), inscription practice, and mantra-bīja sequencing—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of applied protective rites alongside other sciences.
The act frames protection as a dharmic, sanctified safeguard: mantra-bīja and consecrated inscription are treated as spiritually potent means to avert harm and stabilize the practitioner/recipient through sacred sound and ritual order (krama).