Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 1
Chapter 305 — Narasiṃha and Related Mantras (नारसिंहादिमन्त्राः)
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे पञ्चपञ्चाशद्विष्णुनामानि नाम चतुरधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ पञ्चाधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः नारसिंहादिमन्त्राः अग्निर् उवाच स्तम्भो विद्वेषणोच्चाट उत्सादो भ्रममारणे व्याधिश्चेति स्मृतं क्षुत्रं तन्मोक्षो वक्ष्यते शृणु
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe pañcapañcāśadviṣṇunāmāni nāma caturadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha pañcādhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ nārasiṃhādimantrāḥ agnir uvāca stambho vidveṣaṇoccāṭa utsādo bhramamāraṇe vyādhiśceti smṛtaṃ kṣutraṃ tanmokṣo vakṣyate śṛṇu
इति आग्नेये महापुराणे ‘पञ्चपञ्चाशद्विष्णुनामानि’ नाम चतुरधिकत्रिशततमोऽध्यायः समाप्तः। अथ पञ्चाधिकत्रिशततमोऽध्यायः—‘नारसिंहादिमन्त्राः’। अग्निरुवाच—स्तम्भो विद्वेषणोच्चाट उत्सादो भ्रममारणे व्याधिश्चेति स्मृतं क्षुद्रं; तन्मोक्षं वक्ष्यते, शृणु॥
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Classifies hostile/kṣudra rites (stambha, vidveṣaṇa, uccāṭa, etc.) and introduces Narasiṃha-mantra-based protective/remedial methods to neutralize or obtain release from such afflictions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kṣudra-karmāṇi (hostile rites) and their mokṣa/remedy via Narasiṃha-mantra","lookup_keywords":["Narasimha-mantra","stambha","uccāṭa","māraṇa","vyādhi"],"quick_summary":"The chapter transition frames a taxonomy of harmful rites/afflictions and promises instruction in their ‘mokṣa’—release, counteraction, or remedy—through Narasiṃha and allied mantras used for protection (rakṣā-kalpa)."}
Concept: Ethical demarcation of kṣudra (base/hostile) rites and the turn toward mokṣa as release/countermeasure; protective theology centered on Narasiṃha.
Application: Use the forthcoming mantra-prayoga as rakṣā: for those fearing bewitchment/hostile rites, adopt sanctioned protective recitations and observances rather than engaging in harm-causing acts.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra & Raksha-Kalpa (Narasimha-mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni as teacher introducing a new chapter: a list of dark afflictions/hostile rites written or spoken, contrasted with the protective presence of Narasiṃha as the forthcoming remedy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Agni ṛṣi-like figure speaking to attentive sages, with symbolic icons for stambha/uccāṭa/māraṇa as dark clouds or bound figures; behind them a fierce Narasiṃha protective aura, bold reds and blacks, ornate flame motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Narasiṃha with gold halo and embossed ornaments as protector; below, Agni delivering instruction with a palm-leaf manuscript listing kṣudra rites, gold work emphasizing divine protection.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional scene—Agni seated teaching, a clear enumerated list panel (stambha, vidveṣaṇa, uccāṭa, utsāda, bhrama, māraṇa, vyādhi); Narasiṃha icon at the side indicating the remedy section, fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly assembly with Agni as a sage-teacher, attendants holding a scroll of terms; in the background a dramatic Narasiṃha figure as protective emblem, detailed interior architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् = इति (y before vowel). 'अध्यायः' with avagraha: 'अध्यायः' preceded by '...तमो ऽध्यायः' = ...तमः + अध्यायः (a+ a with avagraha). अग्निर् उवाच = अग्निः + उवाच (visarga→r before vowel). व्याधिश्चेति = व्याधिः + च + इति (ḥ→ś before c; then iti). तन्मोक्षो = तत् + मोक्षः (t+m→nm per nasal assimilation in recitation/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 304 (conclusion of Viṣṇu-nāma chapter); Agni Purana 305 (Narasimha and related mantras section begins)
FAQs
It classifies hostile/low rites—stambhana, vidveṣaṇa, uccāṭana, utsādana, bhrama, māraṇa, and vyādhi—as kṣudra-karmas and introduces their mokṣa: the method of release, neutralization, or remedy through Narasiṃha-related mantra practice.
By cataloging technical categories of mantra-tantra operations (both harmful and their countermeasures), it shows the Agni Purana’s breadth beyond mythology—documenting applied ritual science, protective rites, and the ethics/typology of occult practices.
It frames harmful rites as ‘kṣudra’ (spiritually inferior), and shifts focus toward mokṣa/remediation—implying that protection, purification, and disengagement from injurious acts are the dhārmic priority, reducing harmful karmic entanglement.