Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 37
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
वीरान्नयमवाप्नोति सुश्लोकं यो जपेत् सदा कङ्कतो नेति सूक्तेन विषान् सर्वान् व्यपोहति
vīrānnayamavāpnoti suślokaṃ yo japet sadā kaṅkato neti sūktena viṣān sarvān vyapohati
ਜੋ ਸਦਾ ਇਸ ਸੁਸ਼ਲੋਕ ਦਾ ਜਪ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਵੀਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਗਤੀ/ਮਾਰਗ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ; ਅਤੇ “ਕੰਕਤੋ ਨੇਤਿ” ਨਾਲ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਸੂਕਤ ਦਾ ਜਪ ਕਰਨ ਨਾਲ ਸਭ ਵਿਸ਼ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (instructional narration within the Agni Purana’s mantra-prayoga sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Protective japa for valor/heroic state and a specific sūkta-japa used as viṣa-nivāraṇa (warding off poisons), applicable in rakṣā-karmas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rakṣā-japa for Vīra-gati and Viṣa-apohana (‘kaṅkato neti’)","lookup_keywords":["suślokam japa","vīra","kaṅkato neti","viṣa","rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Constant recitation of the praised verse is said to confer heroic attainment; the ‘kaṅkato neti’ hymn is prescribed as a protective recitation to dispel all poisons."}
Concept: Rakṣā through śabda and niyama: sustained japa cultivates inner vīrya and is ritually framed as a shield against external harms like viṣa.
Application: Use mantra-rakṣā as a disciplined adjunct—especially in travel, wilderness, or hazardous contexts—while not neglecting empirical remedies.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Prayoga & Raksha (Protective Hymns and Practical Mantra-Applications)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A reciter stands protectively beside a person threatened by poison (snake/scorpion motif), chanting ‘kaṅkato neti’; a luminous barrier forms, and the poison symbol dissipates.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic protective scene: chanting sage, stylized serpent/scorpion at the edge, mantra-light forming a circular shield, bold reds and blacks, iconic gestures of protection.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central protective figure with gold aura, victim seated, serpent rendered stylized, gold leaf used for the protective mandala and mantra syllables, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, semi-instructional: japa posture, protective circle, labeled ‘viṣa-apohana’, delicate lines and calm composition despite the hazard.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, outdoor scene near a garden path, a scholar recites while attendants tend the afflicted, poison creature in margin, luminous wash indicating protection, fine naturalistic detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नयमवाप्नोति = नयम् + अवाप्नोति; कङ्कतो नेति = कङ्कतः + न + इति; (सूक्तेन ...).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Mantra-prayoga & Rakṣā subsection)
FAQs
It teaches a practical mantra-prayoga: continuous japa of a specified śloka grants ‘vīra’ merit/status, and recitation of the “kaṅkato neti” sūkta functions as a protective countermeasure to remove/neutralize poisons (viṣa).
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge—here, a concrete protective/therapeutic use of mantra for viṣa-nāśa—showing how ritual speech is deployed for health and safety in lived practice.
Regular japa is presented as merit-producing (leading to association with or attainment of the ‘heroic’ state), while the protective hymn purifies and safeguards the practitioner by removing harmful influences symbolized concretely as poison.