Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 7
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
वस्ते पटे तरौ भूर्जे शिलायां यष्टिकासु च मध्ये कोष्ठे साध्यनाम पूर्वादौ पट्टिकासु च
vaste paṭe tarau bhūrje śilāyāṃ yaṣṭikāsu ca madhye koṣṭhe sādhyanāma pūrvādau paṭṭikāsu ca
वस्त्रे पटे तरौ भूर्जे शिलायां यष्टिकासु च लिखेत्। मध्ये कोष्ठे साध्यनाम, पूर्वादौ पट्टिकासु च (क्रमेण) लिखेत्।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guidelines for selecting inscription media and correctly placing the sādhya-name within a yantra’s central compartment and directional labels, enabling targeted protective/ritual operations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yantra-lekhana media and sādhya-nāma placement (madhya-koṣṭha; east-first labels)","lookup_keywords":["yantra-lekhana","bhūrja-patra","madhya-koṣṭha","sādhya-nāma","pattikā"],"quick_summary":"Inscribe the diagram/mantra on cloth, garment, tree, birch-bark, stone, or sticks; write the target name in the central cell and on directional strips beginning from the east for correct ritual orientation."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is tied to correct material support (ādhāra), spatial orientation (dik), and precise naming (nāma) within the yantra’s structure.
Application: When preparing a rakṣā-yantra, choose an appropriate medium (portable or durable), place the target name in the center, and follow east-first directional labeling to maintain ritual correctness.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra & Yantra-Lekhana (Protective rites; mantra-inscription media)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner prepares a yantra on different media—cloth, birch-bark, stone, and small wooden sticks—showing the central square labeled with the sādhya-name and peripheral strips labeled from the eastern side onward.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-priest seated with stylus and ink, multiple media laid out (cloth, bark, stone, sticks), a yantra with central koṣṭha highlighted, directional markers beginning at east, warm temple interior with lamps.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-accented yantra on cloth with ornate border, additional small panels showing bhūrja and stone inscriptions, central name compartment emphasized, directional strips starting east, rich gilding and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram sheet: clear yantra grid with central koṣṭha, arrows indicating east-first order, side illustrations of media (paṭa, bhūrja, śilā, yaṣṭikā), neat calligraphy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with scribe and materials, finely detailed birch-bark and cloth textures, a geometric yantra with central name cell, directional labels around it, elegant margins and precise linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi; verse is largely a list of सप्तमी-locatives indicating where to write/place.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (yantra/cakra writing; rakṣā rites; nāga-mantra)
FAQs
It gives the practical rule for mantra/yantra practice: the sādhya’s name should be inscribed in the central compartment of the diagram and also placed on directional strips beginning from the east, using approved writing media like cloth, birch-bark, stone, wood, or sticks.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technology—materials, layout, and directional protocol for inscriptions—showing its coverage of tantric and procedural know-how alongside other sciences.
Correct placement and medium are treated as essential for ritual efficacy (siddhi) and for avoiding errors (doṣa); following the prescribed order (east-first, central placement) aligns the act with sacred directionality and intended purification/attainment.