Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 52
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
करौ सङ्गृह्य मूलेन नेत्रे बद्ध्वा तु वाससा नेत्रमन्त्रेण मन्त्री तान् सदनेनाहतेन तु
karau saṅgṛhya mūlena netre baddhvā tu vāsasā netramantreṇa mantrī tān sadanenāhatena tu
Схватив руки у основания (то есть за запястья) и завязав глаза тканью, практикующий мантры должен затем ударить или прижать их посохом (sadanāhata), произнося при этом Нетра-мантру.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/controlling rite (abhicāra/saṃrakṣaṇa-variant depending on intent): restrain hands, blindfold, and apply staff-pressure/strike while reciting Netra-mantra to seal, subdue, or ward off harmful forces.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Netra-mantra prayoga with bandhana (binding) and sadanāhata (staff-strike/pressure)","lookup_keywords":["netra-mantra","bandhana","vāsa-bandha","sadanāhata","rakṣā-kriyā"],"quick_summary":"A mantra-procedure using the Netra-mantra alongside physical restraints (hands held, eyes bound) and staff-contact to effect protection, restraint, or subjugation as prescribed in the rite."}
Weapon Type: Staff (daṇḍa) / club-like implement implied by sadanāhata
Concept: Mantra-śakti is operationalized through coordinated bodily acts (kriyā) and recitation; ‘Netra’ (eye) mantra symbolically governs perception/illumination and is used to bind or neutralize opposing forces.
Application: As a protective rite, emphasize restraint and minimal harm: the physical actions function as ritual seals accompanying mantra; apply only within dharmic/authorized contexts of prayoga.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Protective rites and mantra-procedures)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mantra-practitioner restraining a person by the wrists, blindfolding them with cloth, and touching/striking with a staff while reciting a protective Netra-mantra; the mantra appears as a radiant ‘eye’ sigil in the air.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic ritual scene with bold outlines: practitioner holding wrists, white cloth blindfold, staff raised in controlled gesture, glowing eye-symbol (netra) and Sanskrit bīja forms around, temple courtyard backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figures with gold halo around the practitioner, staff and blindfold rendered with ornate detail, radiant eye-emblem in gold leaf, strong contrast and decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of steps: wrist-grasp, blindfold, staff-contact, with subtle mantra glyph near the mouth, soft colors and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor chamber with attendants, restrained figure seated, practitioner applying staff-touch, delicate depiction of cloth blindfold, luminous eye motif as a small cloud of calligraphy, intricate textiles and margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: netramantreṇa → netra-mantreṇa; sadanenāhatena → sadanena + āhatena
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (mantra-kalpa and protective prayogas); Agni Purana sections on rakṣā, bandhana, and mantra-vidhi (where present)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical restraint/protective procedure: seize the wrists, blindfold with cloth, and apply a staff/rod while reciting the Netra-mantra—indicating a mantra-enabled method of control/warding in ritual contexts.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves operational ritual protocols (mantra-kalpa): concrete steps, implements (cloth, staff), and mantra-application—showing it as a manual of applied religious-technical knowledge, not only mythic narrative.
As a protective rite, it aims at pacification and restraint through mantra rather than uncontrolled violence, aligning action with ritual order (dharma) and seeking purification/protection by invoking mantraic authority.