Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
नीराजनोक्तमन्त्रैश् च आयुधं वाहनं यजेत् पुण्याहजयशब्देन मन्त्रमेतन्निशामयेत्
nīrājanoktamantraiś ca āyudhaṃ vāhanaṃ yajet puṇyāhajayaśabdena mantrametanniśāmayet
ਨੀਰਾਜਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਰਧਾਰਿਤ ਮੰਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਯੁਧ (ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ) ਅਤੇ ਵਾਹਨ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ/ਸੰਸਕਾਰ ਕਰੇ। ਅਤੇ ‘ਪੁਣਿਆਹ’ ਤੇ ‘ਜਯ’ ਦੇ ਉਚਾਰਣ ਨਾਲ ਇਸ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਦਾ ਵਿਧੀਵਤ ਪਾਠ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ritual consecration of weapons and vehicles using nīrājana mantras; public auspicious acclamation with 'puṇyāha' and 'jaya' for protection, success, and removal of inauspiciousness before travel/procession/warfare.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nīrājana-mantra worship of Āyudha and Vāhana; Puṇyāha–Jaya benediction","lookup_keywords":["nirajana","ayudha-puja","vahana-puja","punyaha","jaya-shabda"],"quick_summary":"Use prescribed nīrājana mantras to sanctify weapons and vehicles, then seal the rite with auspicious utterances 'puṇyāha' and 'jaya' as a protective and success-invoking benediction."}
Weapon Type: General (āyudha: bow, sword, etc.)
Concept: Śubha-kriyā (auspicious action) and mantra-śakti applied to instruments of action (karaṇa-śuddhi).
Application: Before major undertakings, ritually align tools and mind through mantra and benediction to reduce fear, increase discipline, and invoke protection.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Nīrājana, Maṅgala, and Ritual Benedictions)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest waves lamps (nīrājana) before arranged weapons and a chariot/horse/vehicle; attendants chant 'puṇyāha' and 'jaya' as the items are garlanded and sprinkled with sanctified water.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized lamps with bright halos, weapons laid on cloth, chariot and horse in profile, priests with palm-leaf manuscripts chanting, bold outlines and warm palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central lamp with gold radiance, weapons and vehicle adorned with gold-highlighted ornaments, priest performing ārati, embossed gold work on borders and jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional composition: weapons neatly labeled, priest performing nīrājana with multi-wick lamp, sanctified water pot, devotees chanting 'puṇyāha' and 'jaya', fine delicate lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court setting with king’s armory and carriage, clerics performing lamp-waving, courtiers raising hands in acclamation, intricate textiles and architectural arches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bilahari","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नीराजनोक्तमन्त्रैश् = nīrājana-ukta-mantraiḥ; मन्त्रमेतत् = mantram + etat; एतन्निशामयेत् = etat + niśāmayet (t + n → nn).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (nīrājana, maṅgala, benedictions)
FAQs
It teaches the nīrājana-based consecration (worship) of practical instruments—especially weapons and vehicles—using the prescribed mantras along with auspicious acclamations like “puṇyāha” and “jaya.”
Beyond theology, it preserves applied ritual procedure for everyday and state/military life—how to ritually sanctify arms and conveyances—showing the text’s coverage of domestic, ceremonial, and martial-ritual domains.
By invoking auspiciousness (puṇyāha) and victory (jaya) while consecrating tools of action, the rite is framed as purifying intent and seeking divine favor so that one’s undertakings proceed safely, prosperously, and without ritual impurity.