Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 7
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
ॐ हले शूले एहि ब्रह्मसत्येन विष्णुसत्येन रुद्रसत्येन रक्ष मां वाचेश्वराय स्वाहा दुर्गात्तारयते यस्मात्तेन दुर्गा शिवा मता ॐ चण्डकपालिनि दन्तान् किटि क्षिटि गुह्ये फट् ह्रीं अनेन मन्त्रराजेन क्षालयित्वा तु तण्डुलान्
oṃ hale śūle ehi brahmasatyena viṣṇusatyena rudrasatyena rakṣa māṃ vāceśvarāya svāhā durgāttārayate yasmāttena durgā śivā matā oṃ caṇḍakapālini dantān kiṭi kṣiṭi guhye phaṭ hrīṃ anena mantrarājena kṣālayitvā tu taṇḍulān
«Om. Ó (Deusa) do arado e do tridente—vem! Pela verdade de Brahmā, pela verdade de Viṣṇu, pela verdade de Rudra, protege-me; svāhā a Vāceśvara, Senhor da Palavra.» Porque faz atravessar as dificuldades (durgā), é tida por Durgā, a auspiciosa (Śivā). «Om. Ó Caṇḍakapālinī, a feroz portadora de crânio—para os dentes: kiṭi kiṣiṭi; no lugar secreto: phaṭ; hrīṃ.» Com este Mantra-Rei, lavam-se os grãos de arroz e então se usam no rito.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Durga-śānti and rakṣā: invoking the goddess with bīja and phaṭ-kāra, truth-oaths of the Trimūrti for protection, and a practical prayoga of mantra-śuddha rice for ritual use.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Durgā-Śivā Rakṣā-Mantrarāja with Rice-Śodhana Prayoga","lookup_keywords":["durgā rakṣā mantra","brahmasatyena","phaṭ hrīṃ","caṇḍakapālinī","tandula-śodhana"],"quick_summary":"Gives a protective Durgā-mantra invoking the ‘truth’ of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra, includes forceful tantric syllables (phaṭ, hrīṃ), and prescribes washing rice grains with the mantra for ritual deployment."}
Alamkara Type: Nirukti (etymological gloss)
Concept: Protective efficacy is grounded in satya (truth) invoked as cosmic authority (Trimūrti-satya) and activated through śakti-bīja and kṣepaṇa syllables (phaṭ).
Application: Use the mantra for personal protection and for consecrating ritual materials (tandula) to carry the protective charge into subsequent rites (offerings, sprinkling, bali, etc.).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-tantra (Durga-shanti, raksha-mantra, mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fierce yet auspicious Durgā/Śivā is invoked with trident and skull, while a practitioner washes rice grains in a vessel, charging them with the mantrarāja for a protective rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Durgā in ugra form with śūla and kapāla, large expressive eyes, red/orange ground; below, a devotee washing rice in a brass bowl, mantra syllables stylized as floating glyphs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Durgā with gold halo, trident, skull-cup, ornate jewelry; foreground ritual tray with rice and water pot, gold-leaf highlights on weapons and ornaments, deep maroon backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined depiction of the ritual process—close-up of hands washing tandula, with Durgā icon at top corner; fine linework, soft gradients, labeled bīja ‘hrīṃ’ and ‘phaṭ’ in cartouches.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a small shrine with fierce goddess icon, priest performing rice-washing rite, attendants holding vessels; intricate textiles, architectural arches, calligraphic mantra band."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुर्गात्तारयते = दुर्गात् + तारयते; यस्मात्तेन = यस्मात् + तेन; मन्त्रपदेषु (ॐ, फट्, ह्रीं, किटि, क्षिटि) अव्ययत्वेन ग्रहणम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (Durgā-śānti and rakṣā-mantra section; subsequent rice/powder applications)
FAQs
It gives a Durga-centered rakṣā-mantra (protective formula) invoking the ‘truth-power’ of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra, and a practical mantra-prayoga: purifying/charging rice grains (taṇḍula) by washing them while reciting the mantra with bījas like hrīṃ and the repelling syllable phaṭ.
Alongside theology (etymological explanation of ‘Durgā’ as the one who helps cross dangers), it preserves applied ritual technology—seed-syllables, protective phonemes, and procedural instructions (mantra + material medium like rice)—showing the text’s manual-like coverage of worship, protection rites, and occult liturgy.
The verse frames Durgā as the deliverer from peril and uses mantra-śakti for rakṣā and śuddhi (protection and purification); such acts are traditionally held to remove impediments, guard the practitioner, and generate auspiciousness (śivatva) through disciplined, truth-invoked recitation.