Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 6
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
घातयेति द्विधाकृत्य हूंफडन्तं समुच्चरेत् अघोरास्त्रन्तु नेत्रं स्याद् गायत्री चोच्यते ऽधुना
ghātayeti dvidhākṛtya hūṃphaḍantaṃ samuccaret aghorāstrantu netraṃ syād gāyatrī cocyate 'dhunā
Dividindo a enunciação “ghātaya” em duas partes, deve-se recitá-la terminando com “hūṃ phaṭ”. Isto é o Aghorāstra; ele funciona como o “netra” (olho/mantra de vigilância protetora). Agora também se enuncia a Gāyatrī.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual/mantra procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instruction style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective astra-mantra prayoga: split ‘ghātaya’ into two, append ‘hūṃ phaṭ’, apply as Aghorāstra functioning as netra-mantra (protective overseer), then proceed to Gāyatrī recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Aghorāstra (Ghātaya… Hūṃ Phaṭ) as Netra-mantra; transition to Gāyatrī","lookup_keywords":["aghora-astra","ghātaya","hūṃ phaṭ","netra-mantra","gāyatrī"],"quick_summary":"Recite the twofold ‘ghātaya’ ending with hūṃ phaṭ as the Aghorāstra for protective ‘netra’ coverage; thereafter the text introduces/continues with Gāyatrī for further sanctification."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Rakṣā through mantra-astra: sacred sound functions as a protective instrument; ‘netra’ signifies vigilant oversight and sealing of perception-gates.
Application: Use the astra-mantra to ‘seal’ the ritual field (around self, altar, directions) before subtler japa; follow with Gāyatrī to stabilize sattva and clarity.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi & Tantra (Protective rites; Astra-mantra prayoga)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner forcefully utters ‘ghātaya… hūṃ phaṭ’ as a fiery mantra-weapon shoots outward, forming a protective eye-like aura (netra) around the ritual space; then the mood softens into Gāyatrī recitation with a solar glow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic flames and a stylized protective eye mandala around the altar, priest in strong stance chanting ‘hūṃ phaṭ’, Aghora presence hinted with rudrākṣa and trident motifs, then a sun-disc for Gāyatrī","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed protective eye halo encircling the scene, fiery astra streaks, priest with raised hand in rakṣā mudrā, mantra band ‘hūṃ phaṭ’ highlighted, followed by radiant Gāyatrī sun motif","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of sealing directions with astra-mantra (arrows to four quarters), netra symbol at center, then a second panel with calm Gāyatrī recitation and sun rays; fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic yet refined: a yogin in a courtyard, calligraphic ‘hūṃ phaṭ’ as flame-like strokes forming a protective circle with an eye emblem, attendants at distance, then a luminous sun medallion indicating Gāyatrī"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"commanding","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विधाकृत्य = द्विधा + कृत्वा; अघोरास्त्रन्तु = अघोरास्त्रम् + तु; चोच्यते = च + उच्यते; ऽधुना = अधुना (अवग्रहः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.4; Agni Purana 317.5; Agni Purana Gāyatrī-prakaraṇa immediately following (as indicated)
FAQs
It teaches the precise recitation method for the Aghorāstra: split the command-mantra “ghātaya” and conclude it with the astric syllables “hūṃ phaṭ,” identifying it as a protective ‘netra’ mantra.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—how specific weapon-mantras (astra) are formed, terminated (with phaṭ), and assigned functions (netra/guarding)—showing the Purana’s manual-like coverage of applied mantra-śāstra.
As a netra/guarding astra, it is intended to ward off harmful influences and secure ritual space; correctly applied, such protective mantras are traditionally held to remove obstacles and prevent inauspicious effects during rites.