Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 52
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
करौ सङ्गृह्य मूलेन नेत्रे बद्ध्वा तु वाससा नेत्रमन्त्रेण मन्त्री तान् सदनेनाहतेन तु
karau saṅgṛhya mūlena netre baddhvā tu vāsasā netramantreṇa mantrī tān sadanenāhatena tu
Tendo segurado as mãos pela raiz (isto é, pelos pulsos) e vendado os olhos com um pano, o praticante de mantras deve então golpeá-los ou pressioná-los com um bastão (sadanāhata), enquanto recita o Netra-mantra.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/controlling rite (abhicāra/saṃrakṣaṇa-variant depending on intent): restrain hands, blindfold, and apply staff-pressure/strike while reciting Netra-mantra to seal, subdue, or ward off harmful forces.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Netra-mantra prayoga with bandhana (binding) and sadanāhata (staff-strike/pressure)","lookup_keywords":["netra-mantra","bandhana","vāsa-bandha","sadanāhata","rakṣā-kriyā"],"quick_summary":"A mantra-procedure using the Netra-mantra alongside physical restraints (hands held, eyes bound) and staff-contact to effect protection, restraint, or subjugation as prescribed in the rite."}
Weapon Type: Staff (daṇḍa) / club-like implement implied by sadanāhata
Concept: Mantra-śakti is operationalized through coordinated bodily acts (kriyā) and recitation; ‘Netra’ (eye) mantra symbolically governs perception/illumination and is used to bind or neutralize opposing forces.
Application: As a protective rite, emphasize restraint and minimal harm: the physical actions function as ritual seals accompanying mantra; apply only within dharmic/authorized contexts of prayoga.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Protective rites and mantra-procedures)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mantra-practitioner restraining a person by the wrists, blindfolding them with cloth, and touching/striking with a staff while reciting a protective Netra-mantra; the mantra appears as a radiant ‘eye’ sigil in the air.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic ritual scene with bold outlines: practitioner holding wrists, white cloth blindfold, staff raised in controlled gesture, glowing eye-symbol (netra) and Sanskrit bīja forms around, temple courtyard backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figures with gold halo around the practitioner, staff and blindfold rendered with ornate detail, radiant eye-emblem in gold leaf, strong contrast and decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of steps: wrist-grasp, blindfold, staff-contact, with subtle mantra glyph near the mouth, soft colors and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor chamber with attendants, restrained figure seated, practitioner applying staff-touch, delicate depiction of cloth blindfold, luminous eye motif as a small cloud of calligraphy, intricate textiles and margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: netramantreṇa → netra-mantreṇa; sadanenāhatena → sadanena + āhatena
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (mantra-kalpa and protective prayogas); Agni Purana sections on rakṣā, bandhana, and mantra-vidhi (where present)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical restraint/protective procedure: seize the wrists, blindfold with cloth, and apply a staff/rod while reciting the Netra-mantra—indicating a mantra-enabled method of control/warding in ritual contexts.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves operational ritual protocols (mantra-kalpa): concrete steps, implements (cloth, staff), and mantra-application—showing it as a manual of applied religious-technical knowledge, not only mythic narrative.
As a protective rite, it aims at pacification and restraint through mantra rather than uncontrolled violence, aligning action with ritual order (dharma) and seeking purification/protection by invoking mantraic authority.