Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 18
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
पृष्ठतो ऽनुगतस्त्वेष रक्षतु त्वां स देवराट् अवाप्नुहि जयं युद्धे सुस्थश् चैव सदा व्रज
pṛṣṭhato 'nugatastveṣa rakṣatu tvāṃ sa devarāṭ avāpnuhi jayaṃ yuddhe susthaś caiva sadā vraja
ਜੋ ਦੇਵਰਾਟ (ਦੇਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਮਰਾਟ) ਤੇਰੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਅਨੁਗਾਮੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰੇ। ਯੁੱਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਿੱਤ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖ-ਸਿਹਤ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧ।
Agni (narrating ritual/war-protection formula in Agni Purana’s instructional voice)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Battlefield protective blessing for a warrior/commander—invoking divine rear-guard protection, victory, and sustained health during campaign.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Yuddha-rakṣā āśīrvāda (rear-guard protection and victory)","lookup_keywords":["yuddha-raksha","devarat protection","jaya","sustha"],"quick_summary":"A benediction asking the deva-rāja to guard from behind and grant victory and well-being—used as a pre-battle or departure recitation."}
Alamkara Type: Āśīrvāda (benedictive utterance)
Concept: Victory is paired with well-being; protection is both divine and strategic (guarding the rear).
Application: Before risky action, combine prayer with practical safeguards—assign rear protection and preserve health to sustain effectiveness.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Yuddha-mantra (Protective blessings for battle and victory)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior advances toward battle while a radiant deva-king stands behind as a protective sentinel; banners and dust of march suggest campaign movement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, marching warrior in profile, luminous Indra-like guardian behind with protective aura, stylized battlefield horizon, strong reds/ochres and bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central warrior with gold-highlighted armor, divine guardian behind with gilded halo, victory symbols (standard, conch-like auspicious motifs) in ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clean narrative: warrior stepping forward, guardian deity positioned behind to illustrate ‘pṛṣṭhataḥ’, subtle instructional clarity, delicate ornament.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, campaign scene with detailed landscape, warrior and retinue moving forward, a celestial figure behind in the sky plane indicating protection, fine linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽनुगतस्त्वेष→अनुगतः तु एषः; सुस्थश्→सुस्थः; चैव→च एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 268 (yuddha-mantra/rakṣā-prayoga sequence)
FAQs
A yuddha-rakṣā (battle-protection) benediction: invoking the divine sovereign as a rear-guard protector and praying for victory and bodily safety while proceeding to combat.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical manuals—here, Dhanurveda-linked war invocations—showing that the text preserves not only theology but also applied guidance for kingship and battlefield conduct.
It frames warfare under divine oversight: seeking protection and right outcome through remembrance of the gods, emphasizing disciplined action with reliance on dharmic guardianship rather than mere force.