Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 39
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
यो मे राजन्नितीमान्तु दुःस्वप्नशमनीमृचं अध्वनि प्रस्थितो यस्तु पश्येच्छत्रूं समुत्थितं
yo me rājannitīmāntu duḥsvapnaśamanīmṛcaṃ adhvani prasthito yastu paśyecchatrūṃ samutthitaṃ
ਹੇ ਰਾਜਨ! ਜੋ ਯਾਤਰਾ ਲਈ ਨਿਕਲ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਇਹ ਦੁੱਸੁਪਨ-ਸ਼ਾਮਿਨੀ ਚਾ ਦਾ ਪਾਠ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੇ ਉਹ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਉੱਠੇ ਹੋਏ ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰੂ ਵੇਖੇ, ਤਾਂ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਲਈ ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜਪ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (instructing a king/royal interlocutor within Agni Purana’s discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Rajadharma & Raksha-Mantra","practical_application":"Travel-protection and countering fear/ill-omens by reciting a protective ṛc, especially when threatened by enemies or disturbed by bad dreams.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Duḥsvapna-śamana Rakṣā-ṛc for travelers and kings","lookup_keywords":["duḥsvapna-śamana","adhvayātrā-rakṣā","rājā-rakṣā","śatru-darśana","ṛc-japa"],"quick_summary":"A protective ṛc is prescribed for one setting out on a journey; it pacifies evil dreams and is to be used when enemies appear or rise against the traveler."}
Concept: Mantra as rakṣā: sound-discipline and remembrance as a shield against fear, ill-omens, and hostility.
Application: Adopt a consistent protective recitation before travel and at the moment of perceived threat to stabilize mind and invoke divine safeguarding.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Raksha-Mantra (Protective rites for kings and travelers)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler or royal envoy sets out on a road, reciting a protective ṛc; in the distance hostile figures rise, while an unseen protective aura surrounds the reciter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a king’s traveler with palm-leaf manuscript or prayer beads, reciting a raksha-ṛc on a forest road, shadowy enemies emerging, divine protective glow around the reciter, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure as a royal traveler with ornate jewelry, gold-leaf halo signifying mantra-protection, stylized enemies at the margins, rich reds and greens, temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional feel: traveler in profile chanting, text-scroll motif showing ‘duḥsvapna-śamana ṛc’, enemies depicted as approaching silhouettes, calm protective aura","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape road scene, traveler reciting softly, attendants alert, enemies rising behind a hill, subtle luminous wash around the reciter indicating protection"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजन्नितीमान्तु → राजन् + इति + मन्त्रु (पाठभेदसम्भावना); दुःस्वप्नशमनीमृचं → दुःस्वप्न-शमनीम् + ऋचम्; पश्येच्छत्रूं → पश्येत् + शत्रून्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Rakṣā-mantra / rājadharma context); Agni Purana sections on mantra-japa and homa-prayoga (nearby in the same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga: recitation of a specific ṛc/mantric verse used for duḥsvapna-śānti (appeasing evil dreams) and for protection when encountering enemies during travel.
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical applied knowledge—here, apotropaic mantra-technology for everyday risks (omens, journeys, hostile threats), reflecting its multi-disciplinary scope.
By using a sanctifying verse to neutralize ominous dreams and fear, the practitioner seeks śānti (peace) and rakṣā (protection), aligning the mind and circumstances toward dharmic safety rather than panic or harmful reaction.