Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 62
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
सबाधे विषमे दुर्गे बन्धा वा निर्गतः क्वचित् पलायन् वा गृहीतो वा सूक्तमेतत्तथा जपेत्
sabādhe viṣame durge bandhā vā nirgataḥ kvacit palāyan vā gṛhīto vā sūktametattathā japet
ਜਦੋਂ ਕਲੇਸ਼ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਬੜ-ਖਾਬੜ ਜਾਂ ਦੁৰ্গਮ ਥਾਂ ਤੇ, ਕਠਿਨ ਸੰਕਟ ਵਿੱਚ—ਚਾਹੇ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਛੁੱਟ ਗਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਚਾਹੇ ਭੱਜ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਫੜਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ—ਤਦੋਂ ਇਹ ਸੂਕਤ ਯਥਾਵਿਧਿ ਜਪਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating the protective practice to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Apad-dharma guidance: in calamity—dangerous terrain, siege-like distress, captivity, flight, or seizure—continue the prescribed protective hymn-recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Apad-kāla japa: hymn-recitation in bondage, flight, or perilous terrain","lookup_keywords":["āpada","viṣama durga","bandha","palāyana","rakṣā-sūkta"],"quick_summary":"This is a situational rule: whenever one is in crisis—whether bound, escaping, caught, or in hazardous places—one should recite the relevant protective hymn as the immediate remedy."}
Concept: Apad-dharma: dharma adapts to emergency; minimal, portable sādhanā (japa) is prioritized when conventional rites are impossible.
Application: Crisis protocol: maintain mental focus and continuity of practice under duress; use japa as the most accessible ‘tool’ when bound, fleeing, or seized.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Raksha & Apad-dharma (Protective incantations for danger and calamity)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Mountain/Fort/Terrain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A person in multiple peril scenarios—rocky pass, fortress-like danger, bound with ropes, fleeing, being seized—recites a hymn with unwavering focus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative strip with sequential panels: rugged terrain, rope-bound captive, chase scene; the protagonist chanting with calm face, protective motifs around the head.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central chanting figure with gold aura; surrounding vignettes of bondage, escape, and capture; ornate frame emphasizing ‘apad-raksha’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic multi-scene layout, clear depiction of ‘bandha’, ‘palāyana’, ‘gṛhīta’; consistent japa posture across scenes to teach applicability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dynamic chase and capture scenes in detailed landscape; protagonist murmuring mantra, subtle luminous outline indicating protection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"urgent-protective","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूक्तम्+एतत्→सूक्तमेतत्; (पाठे ‘बन्धा’ इति, सन्दर्भे ‘बद्धः’/‘बन्धः’ सम्भाव्यः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana apad-dharma and rakṣā sections adjacent to 258; Agni Purana mantra-prayoga continuity rules
FAQs
It prescribes situational japa (repetitive recitation) of a specific sūkta/mantra as a protective measure during danger—such as captivity, pursuit, or hazardous travel.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical applied disciplines—here, mantra-based risk management (rakṣā-prayoga) for real-world crises like being bound, escaping, fleeing, or being captured.
Recitation in distress functions as śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through mantra, aiming to remove obstacles and fear while cultivating mental steadiness and protective merit (rakṣā).