Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 308 — Worship of Tvaritā (त्वरितापूजा)
न्यस्ताङ्गो न्यस्तमन्त्रस्तु समस्तं व्यापकं न्यसेत् पार्वती शवरी चेशा वरदाभयहस्तिका
nyastāṅgo nyastamantrastu samastaṃ vyāpakaṃ nyaset pārvatī śavarī ceśā varadābhayahastikā
न्यस्ताङ्गो न्यस्तमन्त्रश्च कृत्वा समस्तं व्यापकं न्यसेत्। पार्वतीं शवरीं चेशां वरदाभयहस्तिकां ध्यायेत्॥
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"After aṅga-nyāsa and mantra-nyāsa, perform vyāpaka-nyāsa (all-pervasive placement) and meditate on Devī’s form (dhyāna) as boon-giving and fear-dispelling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vyāpaka-nyāsa and Devī-dhyāna (Varada–Abhaya)","lookup_keywords":["vyāpaka-nyāsa","aṅga-nyāsa","mantra-nyāsa","varada-abhaya","Pārvatī Śabarī Īśā"],"quick_summary":"Completes the nyāsa by extending it as all-pervasive, then fixes meditation on the Goddess as Pārvatī/Śabarī/Īśā with varada and abhaya gestures."}
Concept: From localized to all-pervasive sacralization: the practitioner’s field of awareness is expanded (vyāpaka) and stabilized by dhyāna on abhaya/varada śakti.
Application: Use ‘abhaya’ visualization to reduce fear-reactivity; use ‘varada’ visualization to orient practice toward beneficence and clarity of intention.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-nyasa (Mantra-nyasa and Devata-dhyana procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka completes nyāsa, then visualizes an all-pervading Devī whose two prominent hands show varada and abhaya; her presence fills the space like a luminous field.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Devī as serene yet powerful, varada-abhaya hands prominent, subtle overlay of pervading aura filling the shrine, sādhaka seated below, strong outlines and traditional ornaments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Devī with varada and abhaya mudrās, heavy gold jewelry and halo, radiant background suggesting vyāpaka pervasion, ornate arch and lotus pedestal","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear meditative scene: sādhaka with closed eyes, Devī appearing in soft glow, hands in varada/abhaya emphasized, gentle gradients and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, mystical vision scene: Devī’s luminous form expands beyond the frame, varada-abhaya gestures, sādhaka in a quiet chamber with incense, fine linework and delicate color washes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न्यस्ताङ्गो = न्यस्त + अङ्गः; न्यस्तमन्त्रस्तु = न्यस्तमन्त्रः + तु (विसर्ग-लोप); चेेशा = च + ईशा (ए-दीर्घ/सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 308.2 (nyāsa loci); Agni Purana 308.4 (dhyāna iconography details)
FAQs
It prescribes a sequence of ritual installations: first aṅga-nyāsa (placing mantras on the limbs), then mantra-nyāsa, and finally vyāpaka-nyāsa—an all-pervasive consecration that extends the mantra’s presence throughout the practitioner’s body/ritual field, alongside visualization of the Goddess in boon- and protection-bestowing gestures.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical liturgical technology—precise, stepwise Tantra-inflected worship methods (nyāsa and dhyāna-lakṣaṇa). This demonstrates how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of applied religious procedures alongside its many other domains.
Nyāsa is presented as sanctifying the body and ritual space as a seat of the deity’s power; contemplating the Devī as varada-abhaya (boon-giving and fear-removing) frames the practice toward protection, purification, and the accrual of merit through correctly embodied worship.