Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
रसयुक्तन्तु नवमं ब्रह्मपञ्चपञ्चकमीरितम् ओंकाराद्याश् चतुर्थ्यन्ता नमोन्ताः सर्वमन्त्रकाः
rasayuktantu navamaṃ brahmapañcapañcakamīritam oṃkārādyāś caturthyantā namontāḥ sarvamantrakāḥ
O nono (conjunto) é declarado “dotado de rasa” e é ensinado como os pentádos bramânicos de cinco e cinco. Todos os mantras são os que começam com Oṃ, terminam no dativo (quarto caso) e concluem com a palavra «namaḥ».
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Mantra-lakṣaṇa for composing/recognizing valid mantras in japa, homa, and nyāsa: begin with Oṃ, take a dative-form devatā-name, and close with namaḥ; also identifies a specific ninth mantra-set (brahma pañca-pañcaka) characterized as ‘rasa-yukta’.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sarva-mantra-lakṣaṇa: Oṃ-ādi, caturthī-anta, namaḥ-anta","lookup_keywords":["oṃkāra-ādi","caturthī-anta","namaḥ-anta","mantra-lakṣaṇa","brahma pañca-pañcaka"],"quick_summary":"A general rule is given for mantra-formation: mantras start with Oṃ, address the deity in the dative case, and conclude with namaḥ. The verse also tags a ninth classified set as ‘rasa-yukta’ and named the Brahma five-and-five pentads."}
Concept: Mantra is not arbitrary sound: it has a formal structure (praṇava + devatā-sambandha + praṇāma) that makes it ritually ‘addressive’ and efficacious.
Application: When crafting or verifying a japa-mantra for worship, ensure praṇava at the start, devatā in dative (e.g., śivāya/viṣṇave), and namaḥ at the end; use the classification to select the correct set for nyāsa.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra (Nyasa, Mantra-lakshana, Tantric/Vaidika mantra classification)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual teacher points to a palm-leaf diagram showing mantra structure: Oṃ at the beginning, a deity-name in dative case, and namaḥ at the end; beside it a grid labeled ‘brahma pañca-pañcaka’ marked ‘rasa-yukta’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, guru in white dhoti teaching mantra-lakṣaṇa, palm-leaf manuscript with large Oṃ glyph, dative-case deity-name and ‘namaḥ’ written in Grantha-like script, warm earthy pigments, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated ācārya with ornate halo, gold-leaf highlighting the Oṃ symbol and the word ‘namaḥ’ on a manuscript, rich reds and greens, temple interior with lamps, didactic sacred mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework, instructional chart of mantra parts (Oṃ-ādi, caturthī-anta, namaḥ-anta), subtle shading, scholar-figure holding stylus, minimal background for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scholar demonstrating a manuscript diagram of mantra grammar, fine calligraphy panels with Oṃ and namaḥ, delicate borders, subdued palette, intimate teaching scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रसयुक्तन्तु→रसयुक्तम्+तु; पञ्चकमीरितम्→पञ्चकम्+ईरितम्; ओंकाराद्याश्→ओंकाराद्याः; नमोन्ताः as नमः+अन्ताः (o-sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (mantra-lakṣaṇa, nyāsa classifications); Agni Purana mantra-nyāsa sections adjoining 316.12–316.15
FAQs
It gives a formal rule for mantra construction: the mantra should start with Oṃ, address the deity in the dative case (e.g., “—āya”), and end with “namaḥ,” indicating a standardized namaskāra-mantra format.
It preserves not only devotional content but also technical mantra-grammar (case-ending rules, fixed mantra components like Oṃ and namaḥ) and classificatory schemes (the ‘Brahma five-and-five’ grouping), showing the text’s compendium-style coverage of ritual technology.
By prescribing a correct, reverential mantra form (Oṃ + deity-invocation + namaḥ), it emphasizes disciplined worship: properly formed mantras are held to increase purity, focus, and the intended fruit of japa and pūjā.