Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 40
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
हेतिश् चैव प्रहेतिश् च विद्युत्स्फुर्जथुरग्रकाः यक्षः सिद्धार्मकः पातु माणिभद्रश् च नन्दनः
hetiś caiva prahetiś ca vidyutsphurjathuragrakāḥ yakṣaḥ siddhārmakaḥ pātu māṇibhadraś ca nandanaḥ
Que Heti e Praheti, e também Vidyut, Sphurjathu e Agraka, protejam (a mim); que o Yakṣa Siddhārmaka proteja, e igualmente Māṇibhadra e Nandana.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"A rakṣā invocation listing guardian beings (including Yakṣas) for protective coverage—recited for personal protection, ritual safeguarding, and boundary-setting (dik-bandhana/āvaraṇa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rakṣā-Devata Nāma-list (Heti–Māṇibhadra–Nandana)","lookup_keywords":["raksha","Yaksha","Manibhadra","Nandana","Heti"],"quick_summary":"A protective name-list calling specific guardians to ‘pātu’ (protect). Used as a quick rakṣā-pāṭha in pūjā and during transitions in rites."}
Weapon Type: Mace
Concept: Protection through nāma-smaraṇa and guardian-deity enlistment; ritual speech as a boundary-making act.
Application: Recite before travel, at the start of pūjā, or while establishing protective perimeter around altar/home.
Khanda Section: Raksha-mantra / Devata-nama (Protective invocations and guardian lists)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Type: Cosmic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective invocation scene: guardian figures—Heti, Praheti, lightning-like beings, and Yakṣas including Māṇibhadra—standing at the four quarters around a worshipper/altar as sentinels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, four-direction guardian tableau around a central altar, Yakṣa Māṇibhadra as stout jeweled guardian, dynamic lightning motifs for Vidyut/Sphurjathu, lamps and lotus borders, strong outlines and deep colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central devotee/altar with gold aura, flanking Yakṣa guardians with embossed gold ornaments, symmetrical protective stance, rich reds and greens, ornate frame and gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram-like composition showing guardians positioned around the central figure, labeled names, soft palette, fine gold lines, emphasis on protective perimeter","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, protective circle around a seated worshipper, guardians at corners with distinct costumes, stylized lightning in the sky, architectural courtyard, intricate border patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; हेतिश् = हेतिः (visarga before c); प्रहेतिश् = प्रहेतिः; माणिभद्रश् = माणिभद्रः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (Rakṣā-mantra/guardian lists continuing beyond this verse)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga (protective application) by invoking specific Yakṣa-guardian names as a protective recitation for personal safeguarding.
By cataloging named protective beings (Yakṣas and related guardians) and prescribing their invocation, it preserves a practical ritual-technology alongside the Purana’s many other domains (rites, polity, arts, and sciences).
Reciting guardian-invocations is traditionally held to remove obstacles, avert harmful influences, and create a protective sacred boundary (rakṣā-kavaca), supporting purity and steadiness in dharmic practice.