Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
तद्विष्णोरिति जप्त्वाथ दद्याद्रिपुमुखे पदं दक्षिणं पदं द्वात्रिंशद्दिक्षु प्राच्यादिषु क्रमात्
tadviṣṇoriti japtvātha dadyādripumukhe padaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ padaṃ dvātriṃśaddikṣu prācyādiṣu kramāt
Tendo recitado o mantra que começa com “tad viṣṇoḥ …”, deve-se então colocar o(s) pada(s) (segmentos do mantra) voltados para o inimigo; e, sucessivamente, dispor o “pada direito” nas trinta e duas direções, começando pelo leste e as demais, na devida ordem.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Directional nyāsa/protective deployment: after japa of 'tad viṣṇoḥ…', place mantra-padas oriented toward the enemy and distribute the right pada through 32 directions from east onward to create a protective mandala and offensive-facing barrier.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Directional Nyāsa with 'Tad Viṣṇoḥ' Pada in 32 Directions (Protective Rite)","lookup_keywords":["tad vishnoh","nyasa","32 directions","dik-bandhana","enemy-facing pada"],"quick_summary":"Recite the 'tad viṣṇoḥ' mantra, then perform directional placement of its padas—facing the enemy and extending through thirty-two directions from the east—to establish comprehensive protection and ritual dominance."}
Concept: Mantra as spatial power: sound mapped onto directions to transform space into a guarded sacred field (kṣetra-rakṣā).
Application: Use structured directional recitation/nyāsa to cultivate focus, reduce panic, and create a disciplined protective routine for group action.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Directional Nyasa and Protective Rite)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist/king performs nyāsa around a space: facing the enemy direction, then turning systematically through 32 directions from the east, placing mantra-padas as luminous syllabic seals forming a protective mandala.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, figure in ritual stance turning through directions, glowing syllables in the air, compass-like mandala on the ground, stylized enemy front indicated, bold outlines and sacred geometry motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central performer with gold halo, radiant directional seals in gold leaf around, ornate border, compass mandala with 32 spokes, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, technical depiction of 32-direction wheel, performer placing padas stepwise, clear directional labels (east onward), refined linework and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, camp scene with a learned priest drawing/gesturing a directional mandala, soldiers watching, enemy direction marked, delicate geometry and landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्विष्णोरिति = tat + viṣṇoḥ + iti; दद्याद्रिपुमुखे = dadyāt + ripumukhe (t + r → dr); द्वात्रिंशद्दिक्षु = dvātriṃśat + dikṣu (t + d → dd).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (mantra-kalpa; protective rites; Dhanurveda-adjacent procedures)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-kalpa procedure: after japa of a Viṣṇu-mantra, perform directional nyāsa/dik-bandhana by placing specified mantra-padas in sequence across the thirty-two directions, oriented toward an enemy-facing front for protection.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—precise instructions for mantra-recitation, spatial orientation, and directional mapping (32 dik-scheme), reflecting the Agni Purana’s catalog-like coverage of practical liturgy and protective rites.
The act of Viṣṇu-mantra japa combined with ordered dik-nyāsa is framed as a sanctifying protective enclosure—securing the practitioner’s space, countering hostile influences, and aligning action with dharmic, deity-centered ritual order.