Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 13
Chapter 347: One-syllable Appellations (एकाक्षराभिधानम्)
क्षो नृसिंहे हरौ तद्वत् क्षेत्रपालकयोरपि मन्त्र एकाक्षरो देवो भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकः
kṣo nṛsiṃhe harau tadvat kṣetrapālakayorapi mantra ekākṣaro devo bhuktimuktipradāyakaḥ
Односложная мантра «kṣo» применяется для Нарасимхи и для Хари; так же она употребляется и для двух Кшетрапал (хранителей храма/поля). Эта односложная мантра божественна и дарует и bhukti (мирские наслаждения и благополучие), и mukti (освобождение).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Ekākṣara-bīja ‘kṣo’ is prescribed for Narasiṃha/Hari and Kṣetrapālas in pūjā and protective rites to obtain bhukti (prosperity) and mukti (liberation).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Ekākṣara-mantra ‘kṣo’ for Narasiṃha, Hari, and Kṣetrapālas","lookup_keywords":["kṣo bija","Narasimha mantra","Hari ekakshara","Kshetrapala mantra","bhukti mukti"],"quick_summary":"Teaches a single-syllable divine mantra ‘kṣo’ applicable to Narasiṃha/Hari and guardian deities (Kṣetrapālas), aimed at both worldly welfare and spiritual release."}
Concept: Mantra as a compact vehicle granting both bhukti and mukti; fierce-protective divinity (Narasiṃha) harmonized with liberating Hari.
Application: Use ‘kṣo’ in japa/nyāsa during Narasiṃha or Viṣṇu worship; apply at temple/house thresholds for Kṣetrapāla protection, aligning intention toward both welfare and liberation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra / Puja-vidhi (Ekakshara-mantra and deity-nyasa context)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper performs nyāsa and japa of the single syllable ‘kṣo’ before Narasiṃha and Viṣṇu, with two Kṣetrapāla guardians stationed at the temple gate holding protective emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Narasiṃha in fierce protective stance, Hari serene beside; temple gateway with two Kṣetrapālas; the bīja ‘kṣo’ inscribed in stylized script above; strong reds, blacks, and gold-ochre.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Narasiṃha with gold halo and ornate jewelry; Hari in calm posture; gate guardians flanking; ‘kṣo’ on a gold-embossed cartouche; rich gold work and deep colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional depiction of nyāsa—hands in mudrā, rosary, altar; small labels ‘kṣo’ near deity icons; refined linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: temple courtyard scene with devotee chanting; guardians at the entrance; Narasiṃha and Hari represented in framed shrine niche; delicate architectural detailing and calligraphic ‘kṣo’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṣetrapālakayorapi = kṣetrapālakayoḥ + api (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 347 (ekākṣara and varṇa-mantra context); Adjacent Mātr̥kā/nyāsa material in 347.14–347.15
FAQs
It prescribes the one-syllable bīja “kṣo” as a practical mantra-application for Narasiṃha, Hari (Viṣṇu), and the Kṣetrapāla guardian deities—indicating its use in worship, protection, and guardian-invocation rites.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s catalog-like preservation of applied ritual technology—mapping specific seed syllables to specific deities and functions—alongside its many other domains (temple practice, polity, medicine, and arts).
The verse frames correct mantra-use as yielding both bhukti (worldly welfare, protection, prosperity) and mukti (liberation), linking ritual precision with both immediate benefits and ultimate spiritual attainment.