Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 23
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
वेष्टिता भावहेम्ना च रक्षेयं मृत्युनाशिनी विघ्नपापारिदमनी सौभाग्यायुःप्रदा धृता
veṣṭitā bhāvahemnā ca rakṣeyaṃ mṛtyunāśinī vighnapāpāridamanī saubhāgyāyuḥpradā dhṛtā
ਸੰਕਲਪ ਨਾਲ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਸ਼ਾਲੀ ‘ਭਾਵ-ਹੇਮ’ ਨਾਲ ਲਪੇਟੀ ਇਹ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਧਾਰਣ ਕਰਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ; ਇਹ ਮੌਤ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰਦੀ, ਵਿਘਨ-ਪਾਪ-ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਬਾਉਂਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਧਾਰਕ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਭਾਗ ਤੇ ਦੀਰਘ ਆਯੁ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (primary narrator of Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Wearing a consecrated protective amulet (rakṣā) wrapped in ‘bhāva-hemā’ (intent-empowered gold) for apotropaic protection and auspicious outcomes.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rakṣā-Amulet: Mṛtyunāśinī and Vighna-Pāpa-Ari-Damanī","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā","amulet","mṛtyunāśinī","vighna-nāśa","bhāva-hema"],"quick_summary":"Describes the effects attributed to a worn protective charm: averting death, suppressing obstacles/sin/enemies, and granting fortune and longevity when properly borne."}
Alamkara Type: Bahuvrīhi/Guṇa-nāma (epithetic compounding)
Concept: Bhāva (intent) + dhāraṇa (wearing) as a vehicle of rakṣā; inner resolve is treated as empowering the material support (gold).
Application: Consecrate and wear the rakṣā as a daily protective observance, especially during travel, illness-fear, or liminal rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Raksha-mantra (Protective rites and amulets)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee receives a consecrated amulet wrapped in gold, tied on the arm/neck, while a priest blesses it for protection from death and obstacles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, priest tying rakṣā on devotee, glowing lamp, gold-toned amulet cloth, serene faces, temple interior motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, close focus on gold-wrapped amulet with heavy gold leaf work, priest and devotee in rich attire, halo-like ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of how the amulet is wrapped and worn, delicate lines, soft colors, clear gesture of tying","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ceremony scene, detailed textiles and jewelry, priest presenting a small gold-wrapped charm, refined interior"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रक्षेयं = रक्षा + इयम्; भावहेम्ना = भाव-हेम्ना; सौभाग्यायुःप्रदा = सौभाग्य-आयुः-प्रदा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (Rakṣā-mantra / Puja-vidhi context)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-vidhāna: a protective charm/amulet is to be wrapped with gold empowered by intent and worn to ward off untimely death and suppress obstacles, sin, and hostile forces.
Alongside theology and mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—protective rites (rakṣā), apotropaic measures, and benefit-specific prescriptions (longevity, fortune), reflecting the text’s practical, multi-disciplinary scope.
The act of bearing the consecrated protection is framed as pāpa-śamana (mitigating sin) and vighna-śamana (removing impediments), aligning personal welfare (āyuḥ, saubhāgya) with ritual purity and auspiciousness.