Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
स्वाहा वासुकिराजाय शङ्खपालाय वौषट् तक्षकाय वषन्नित्यं महापद्माय वै नमः
svāhā vāsukirājāya śaṅkhapālāya vauṣaṭ takṣakāya vaṣannityaṃ mahāpadmāya vai namaḥ
वासुकिराजाय स्वाहा। शङ्खपालाय वौषट्। तक्षकाय वषट् नित्यं (हविः समर्पयेत्)। महापद्माय वै नमः।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in mantra-prayoga)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nāga-propitiation through correctly paired offering-closures (svāhā/vauṣaṭ/vaṣaṭ/namaḥ) to avert serpent-related fear/obstacles and to secure protection in rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Nāga-mantra oblations: Vāsuki, Śaṅkhapāla, Takṣaka, Mahāpadma","lookup_keywords":["Vāsuki","Śaṅkhapāla","Takṣaka","Mahāpadma","nāga-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Invoke principal nāgas with specific oblation endings—svāhā, vauṣaṭ, vaṣaṭ, and namaḥ—forming a compact nāga-stuti used for protection and ritual success."}
Concept: Propitiation (śānti) through precise naming and ritual closure-words aligns the practitioner with protective cosmic beings (nāgas).
Application: Use as a short nāga-invocation in homa or protective recitation, especially when beginning rites in places associated with serpents or subterranean powers.
Khanda Section: Mantra & Puja-vidhi (Nāga-stuti / Nāga-mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four nāga kings represented around a ritual fire: Vāsuki enthroned as serpent king, Śaṅkhapāla and Takṣaka poised near offerings, Mahāpadma associated with lotus imagery; a priest offers oblations with mantra endings displayed as calligraphic bands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vivid multi-hooded nāgas with jeweled hoods, lotus pond motif for Mahāpadma, priest at homa fire, mantra syllables ‘svāhā/vauṣaṭ/vaṣaṭ/namaḥ’ stylized in traditional script panels, temple-lamp ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf halos on nāga kings, ornate jewelry, central homa-kuṇḍa, rich reds and greens, embossed gold borders, lotus throne for Mahāpadma, inscription bands for each nāga name and offering word.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, balanced composition with four labeled nāga figures, clear depiction of ritual implements (sruk, ghee pot), instructional clarity on which closure-word goes with which name.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined serpentine figures with delicate patterning, courtly arrangement around a small fire altar, calligraphy cartouches for each invocation, detailed textiles and subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vaṣannityaṃ = वषन् + नित्यम् (n → nn by sandhi in continuous recitation); many editions read वषट् नित्यम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (nāga-mantra-prayoga; rakṣā rites)
FAQs
It gives a practical nāga-invocation formula using standard homa exclamations (svāhā, vauṣaṭ/vaṣaṭ) to address specific nāga-deities—Vāsuki, Śaṅkhapāla, Takṣaka, and Mahāpadma—typically for appeasement and protection.
Alongside theology and narrative, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technology—exact mantra-phrasing and offering-calls—showing its coverage of practical worship procedures (pujā/homa) and protective rites.
By offering and saluting nāga powers through correct sacrificial calls, the practitioner seeks pacification of serpent-related afflictions and gains ritual purity and protective merit (rakṣā) through respectful propitiation.