Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 21
Chapter 306 — त्रैलोक्यमोहनमन्त्राः
Mantras for Enchanting the Three Worlds
शक्तयो ऽन्ते प्रयोज्यादौ सुरेशाद्याश् च दण्डिना पीते लक्ष्मीसरस्वत्यौ रतिप्रीतिजयाः सिताः
śaktayo 'nte prayojyādau sureśādyāś ca daṇḍinā pīte lakṣmīsarasvatyau ratiprītijayāḥ sitāḥ
शक्तयः कर्मान्ते प्रयोज्याः; आदौ तु सुरेशाद्याः दण्डिना सह आवाह्याः। लक्ष्मीसरस्वत्यौ पीतवर्णे ध्येय्ये; रतिप्रीतिजयाः सितवर्णाः।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual sequencing and dhyāna-color coding: when to apply Śaktis (end) and when to invoke deities (beginning), plus prescribed varṇa (colors) for specific goddesses for visualization and yantra/mandala painting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śakti-prayoga-krama and devī-varṇa-dhyāna (Lakṣmī–Sarasvatī etc.)","lookup_keywords":["shakti prayoga","dhyana colors","Lakshmi yellow","Sarasvati yellow","Rati Priti Jaya white"],"quick_summary":"Apply Śaktis at the conclusion of the rite; invoke Indra and others at the start with Daṇḍin; visualize Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī as yellow, and Rati–Prīti–Jayā as white to stabilize the ritual imagination and iconography."}
Concept: Ritual power depends on krama (sequence) and dhyāna (precise visualization), including color as a carrier of śakti and function.
Application: In pūjā/yantra work, keep a fixed order (ādau/ante) and maintain consistent color-visualizations for each devī to avoid ‘saṅkara’ (mixing) in contemplation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-nyasa and Shakti-invocation (Tantric-ritual sequencing)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual mandala where deities are arranged by sequence; Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī painted in yellow hues; Rati, Prīti, Jayā in white; Indra and other devas invoked at the beginning; a staff-bearing Daṇḍin present as a guardian/attendant.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala with deity registers; Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī in warm yellow garments; Rati–Prīti–Jayā in white; Indra with vajra; Daṇḍin holding staff; clear separation of beginning vs end zones in composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf halos, Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī in yellow silk with heavy jewelry; Rati–Prīti–Jayā in white; Indra and Daṇḍin flanking; ornamental borders emphasizing ritual order.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, didactic layout with labeled color swatches beside each devī; calm palette; Daṇḍin with staff; Indra and devas at top (beginning), Śaktis at bottom (end) to show sequencing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature manuscript page, neatly separated panels: opening invocation with Indra and Daṇḍin; concluding panel with Śaktis; subtle color symbolism—yellow for Lakṣmī/Sarasvatī, white for Rati/Prīti/Jayā; fine calligraphy notes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaktayo 'nte → śaktayaḥ + ante; sureśādyāś → sureśa-ādyāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 306 (Śakti-invocation and attendant-deity arrangements)
FAQs
It gives a precise ritual sequence: when to apply/invoke Śaktis (at the conclusion), which deities accompany the opening invocation (Indra and others, plus Daṇḍin), and the required visualization-colors for specific goddesses.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves procedural worship-technology—devatā-krama (ordering of deities), nyāsa timing, and dhyāna specifications—showing the Agni Purana as a compendium of practical ritual instruction.
Correct sequencing and color-dhyāna are treated as essential for mantra efficacy and purity of worship, aligning the practitioner’s mind with the intended divine energies and thereby supporting auspicious results (śubha-phala) and ritual completeness.