Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
मूलविद्यां समुच्चार्य मरुद्व्योमगतां द्विज प्रथमेन पुनश् चैव कर्णिकायां प्रपूजयेत्
mūlavidyāṃ samuccārya marudvyomagatāṃ dvija prathamena punaś caiva karṇikāyāṃ prapūjayet
मूलविद्यां समुच्चार्य, हे द्विज, मरुद्व्योमगतां तां प्रथमेन पुनरेव कर्णिकायां प्रपूजयेत्।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Mantra-japa and lotus-pericarp worship: utter the mūla-vidyā and perform focused pūjā in the karṇikā, aligning the invoked power with subtle elements (vāyu/ākāśa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mūla-vidyā-ucchāra and karṇikā-pūjā for vāyu-ākāśa-sthita śakti","lookup_keywords":["mūla-vidyā","japa","karṇikā","vāyu","ākāśa"],"quick_summary":"After clear recitation of the root-mantra, worship again by the prescribed first method in the lotus pericarp, contemplating the mantra-power as stationed in wind and sky (subtle elements)."}
Concept: Mantra is a subtle power aligned with bhūta-tattvas; correct ucchāra and inner placement (karṇikā) stabilize realization.
Application: Train precise pronunciation and visualization: seat the mantra in the heart of the diagram (karṇikā) while contemplating its pervasion through vāyu and ākāśa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-japa and Yantra/Padma worship procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner (dvija) seated before a lotus maṇḍala, reciting the root-mantra; attention drawn to the central pericarp where the invoked presence is visualized as airy and sky-like, with subtle swirling wind motifs and open space symbolism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: priestly figure chanting, lotus diagram prominent, central karṇikā glowing, stylized wind curls and blue space field around, lamps and ritual vessels, calm sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central lotus with gem-like karṇikā, gold aura suggesting ākāśa radiance, devotee chanting mūla-vidyā, ornate borders, rich blues for sky and gold for mantra light.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic composition showing lotus parts (petals, karṇikā) clearly, practitioner pointing/placing offerings at karṇikā, subtle wind/sky iconography, soft colors and precise lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-priest in a pavilion, lotus diagram on a cloth, calligraphic mantra strip, delicate depiction of wind as flowing ribbons and sky as pale blue wash, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 310 (mūla-vidyā, padma-cakra worship sequence; nyāsa details continue in 310.10–310.11)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific pūjā step: after pronouncing the mūla-mantra, the practitioner re-applies the first recitation/procedure to worship the deity/vidyā seated in the lotus’s central karṇikā, associated with the marut (wind) and vyoma (sky) principles.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of applied ritual technology—mantra pronunciation, element (tattva) mapping, and lotus/yantra-centered worship—alongside its many other domains (dharma, polity, medicine, arts).
By correctly uttering the root-mantra and worshipping the mantra-deity at the ritual center (karṇikā), the rite is believed to become ‘properly installed’ and efficacious—supporting purification, steadiness of prāṇa, and successful mantra-siddhi.