Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 31
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
कुलिशं शक्तिदण्डौ च खड्गपाशध्वजौ गदां शूलं चक्रं यजेत् पद्मं पूव्वादौ देवमर्च्य च
kuliśaṃ śaktidaṇḍau ca khaḍgapāśadhvajau gadāṃ śūlaṃ cakraṃ yajet padmaṃ pūvvādau devamarcya ca
कुलिशं शक्तिदण्डौ च खड्गपाशध्वजौ गदां शूलं चक्रं तथा पद्मं पूर्वादिषु यथास्थानं यजेत्; ततः देवमपि अर्चयेत्।
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ayudha-puja and dik-nyasa: consecrating and placing divine weapons/emblems in the directions to guard the mandala before main deity worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ayudha-puja: Vajra–Shakti–Danda–Khadga–Pasha–Dhvaja–Gada–Shula–Chakra–Padma (Directional placement)","lookup_keywords":["ayudha-puja","dik-nyasa","vajra","chakra","padma"],"quick_summary":"Worship a set of divine weapons/emblems and assign them to the directions (beginning east), then proceed to worship the main deity within the protected mandala."}
Weapon Type: Vajra, Shakti (spear), Danda (staff), Khadga (sword), Pasha (noose), Dhvaja (banner), Gada (mace), Shula (trident), Chakra (discus)
Concept: Sacred space is secured by installing powers (ayudhas/shaktis) in the directions before approaching the deity.
Application: In puja/abhisheka/diksha contexts, perform dik-nyasa/ayudha-puja to prevent obstacles (vighna) and stabilize concentration.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ayudha-puja and Mandala/Directional worship in deity-arcana)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual mandala with consecrated weapons/emblems placed in the eight directions—vajra in the east and others around—followed by worship of the central deity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala on temple floor, stylized vajra, chakra, shula, gada, khadga, pasha, dhvaja, padma placed by directions, priest with lamp and flowers, bold flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed emblems arranged around a central deity, jeweled chakra and padma, ornate borders, lamps and kalasha, symmetrical directional layout","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant depiction of directional placement of ayudhas, clear east marker, priest performing offerings, soft palette and fine lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed floor mandala with weapons as exquisite objects, attendants holding banner and mace, central deity shrine, intricate textiles and architectural frame"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शक्तिदण्डौ इति पाठे शक्ति + दण्डौ (सूची); खड्गपाशध्वजौ इति पाठे खड्ग + पाश + ध्वजौ (सूची); देवमर्च्य इति देवम् + अर्च्य
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Ayudha-puja; mandala and dik-krama)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayudha-puja procedure: specific divine weapons and emblems are to be installed and worshipped in a directional sequence (beginning in the east), followed by worship of the presiding deity.
By cataloging iconographic/ritual elements (weapons, emblems, and their placement) and embedding them into a practical worship protocol, it exemplifies how the Agni Purana functions as a manual that compiles ritual, temple practice, and symbolic theology.
Worship of the deity’s weapons as extensions of divine power is treated as a purifying, protective act that harmonizes the worship-space (mandala) and aligns the devotee with the deity’s protective and dharmic energies.