Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशादिमन्त्राः कोट्यधिकाः पृथक् ओंह्रीमाद्याश् चतुर्थ्यन्ता नमोन्ताः सर्वकामदाः
sūryeśaśaktiśrīśādimantrāḥ koṭyadhikāḥ pṛthak oṃhrīmādyāś caturthyantā namontāḥ sarvakāmadāḥ
सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशादयो मन्त्राः पृथक् कोट्यधिकाः प्रोक्ताः। ओंह्रीमाद्या ये चतुर्थ्यन्ता नमोन्ताश्च, ते सर्वकामप्रदाः।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra taxonomy and selection rule: identifies vast mantra sets by deity-name and gives a practical structural marker for wish-fulfilling mantras (Oṃ/Hrīm start, dative ending, namaḥ close).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mantra classification: deity-name series and ‘Oṃ–Hrīm…(caturthī)…namaḥ’ wish-fulfilling pattern","lookup_keywords":["sūrya-mantra","īśa-mantra","śakti-mantra","śrīśa-mantra","oṃ-hrīm-namaḥ"],"quick_summary":"The text notes innumerable distinct mantras for Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, and Śrīśa, and highlights a productive template: begin with Oṃ/Hrīm, use a dative-case target (caturthī), and conclude with namaḥ for accomplishing desired aims."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy is linked to formal structure (ādi-bīja, vibhakti targeting, namas-ending) and devatā-bheda; sound-form is treated as an operational key to desired results.
Application: When choosing/constructing a devotional mantra, follow the template: Oṃ/Hrīm + (devatā-name in dative) + namaḥ, under proper initiation and pronunciation discipline.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya and Puja-vidhi (Tantric mantra classification and efficacy)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fourfold devotional tableau: Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, and Śrīśa preside as mantra-deities; a manuscript shows the mantra template ‘Oṃ/Hrīm + (dative) + namaḥ’, with countless mantra-streams symbolized as flowing script.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, four deity presences in traditional icon colors (Sūrya radiant, Īśa ash-toned, Śakti crimson, Śrīśa dark-blue), central palm-leaf manuscript with ‘Oṃ’ and ‘Hrīm’, flowing akṣara-rivers indicating koṭi mantras, temple-lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, four deities with gold halos and ornate crowns, central mantra panel in gold relief reading Oṃ and Hrīm, devotee offering flowers, rich jewel tones and heavy gold work emphasizing ‘sarva-kāma-dā’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, schematic clarity: mantra template written prominently, arrows indicating start (Oṃ/Hrīm), middle (caturthī devatā-name), end (namaḥ), with small deity icons for Sūrya/Īśa/Śakti/Śrīśa, clean lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a scholar-priest presenting a folio of mantra taxonomy to patrons; in the margins, medallions of the four deities; fine calligraphy streams suggesting innumerable mantras; intricate borders and subdued elegance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ओम् + ह्रीम् + आद्याः → ओंह्रीमाद्याः; नमः + अन्ताः → नमोन्ताः (ः + अ → ओ)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-lakṣaṇa and bīja discussions; Agni Purana: devatā-mantra sections for Sūrya/Śiva/Devī/Viṣṇu
FAQs
It teaches a formal rule for mantra construction and classification: mantras that begin with praṇava/bīja (Oṃ, Hrīm), address the deity in the dative case (caturthī—“unto/for”), and conclude with “namaḥ” are described as efficacious for fulfilling a wide range of desires (sarva-kāma).
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and warfare, the Agni Purana also systematizes ritual technology—here giving a compact ‘grammar’ of mantras (openers like Oṃ/Hrīm, case-ending, closing with namaḥ) and indicating the vast taxonomy of deity-mantras (Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, Śrīśa) counted in crores.
By prescribing reverential, deity-directed mantra forms (“…āya/…yai namaḥ”), the verse frames desire-fulfillment as aligned with devotion and surrender (namaḥ), implying that properly formed worship-mantras generate merit and support both worldly aims and spiritual purification.