Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 7
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
प्रस्तावक्रमयोगेन प्रस्तावं यस्तु विन्दति करमुष्टिस्थितास्तस्य साधकस्य हि सिद्धयः
prastāvakramayogena prastāvaṃ yastu vindati karamuṣṭisthitāstasya sādhakasya hi siddhayaḥ
ਜੋ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਸਤਾਵ (ਆਰੰਭ-ਭਾਗ) ਦੇ ਯੋਗ ਕ੍ਰਮ-ਵਿਧਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰਸਤਾਵ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ/ਰਚ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਸਾਧਕ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਧੀਆਂ ਮਾਨੋ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਮੁੱਠੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਟਿਕੀਆਂ ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue narration to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Guiding composition: mastering the prastāva (opening) through correct sequencing so the work’s intent, tone, and audience-grip are secured from the start.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Prastāva-krama (Proper Sequencing of the Opening Section)","lookup_keywords":["prastāva","krama","kāvya-racana","sādhaka-siddhi","sāhitya-śāstra"],"quick_summary":"If the composer applies the correct order in crafting the prastāva, success in the work follows readily—‘as if in the palm of the hand’—because the opening fixes direction, rasa, and coherence."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta/Atiśayokti (success ‘in the palm’ as emphatic illustration)
Concept: Siddhi arises from krama (right sequence) and abhyāsa (disciplined practice), not from impulse.
Application: Draft openings with a fixed order: topic-signal, intent, auspicious framing, and audience orientation before elaboration.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara: composition-methods and poetic technique)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet-teacher instructs a student, pointing to a manuscript where the prastāva is arranged in ordered steps; the student’s hand holds the completed opening confidently.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style classroom scene, guru-poet with palm-leaf manuscript, student seated, the word ‘prastāva’ highlighted on a stylized folio, restrained palette and temple-like borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, poet-sage with gold halo-like ornamentation, palm-leaf manuscript with ornate initial lines, gold detailing on the opening section, rich textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, fine-lined instructional vignette: sequential panels showing prastāva steps (invocation, theme, promise), calm scholarly ambience.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a literary salon, poet presenting the opening verses to patrons, delicate calligraphy, gestures indicating ‘sequence’, refined interior setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yastu → yaḥ tu; karamuṣṭisthitāstasya → kara-muṣṭi-sthitāḥ tasya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sāhitya/alaṅkāra portions on kāvya-aṅgas, doṣa-guṇa, and racanā-krama
FAQs
It teaches a technical rule of Sahitya-shastra: using the correct prastāva-krama (ordered method) to craft the prastāva (opening/prologue) so the composition succeeds reliably.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also codifies applied arts like Sanskrit poetics—here giving a practical compositional principle (how to structure an opening), showing its wide-ranging, instructional scope.
By emphasizing disciplined method (krama-yoga) and successful accomplishment (siddhi), it frames literary practice as a sādhana: correct procedure leads to assured results and mastery.