Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
उद्धरेत् प्रणवं पूर्वं प्रस्फुरद्वयमुच्चरेत् घोरघोरतरं पश्चात् तत्र रूपमतः स्मरेत्
uddharet praṇavaṃ pūrvaṃ prasphuradvayamuccaret ghoraghorataraṃ paścāt tatra rūpamataḥ smaret
प्रथमं प्रणवम् उद्धरेत्; अनन्तरं प्रस्फुरद्वयम् उच्चरेत्। पश्चात् ‘घोर-घोरतरम्’ जपेत्; तत्र तत्स्वरूपं ध्यायेत्।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Stepwise japa-krama: utter praṇava, then the ‘prasphurat’ pair, then ‘ghora-ghoratara’, followed by deity-form visualization for mantra-siddhi and protective/transformative effect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa-krama: Praṇava → Prasphurat-dvaya → Ghora-ghoratara with Rūpa-dhyāna","lookup_keywords":["japa-krama","praṇava","prasphurat","ghora-ghoratara","rūpa-dhyāna"],"quick_summary":"Recite in a fixed sequence—Oṁ, the two ‘prasphurat’ syllables, then ‘ghora-ghoratara’—and immediately stabilize the practice by meditating on the corresponding deity-form."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka (repetition)
Concept: Mantra is completed by rūpa (form) contemplation; sound (śabda) must culminate in meaning/form (artha-rūpa) for focused consciousness.
Application: After each full sequence, pause briefly to visualize the deity vividly; this prevents mechanical japa and supports ekāgratā (one-pointedness).
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi and Tantra (Japa, Nyasa, Dhyana)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner chanting: first Oṁ, then two flashing syllables depicted as twin sparks, then a darker, fiercer aura as ‘ghora-ghoratara’ appears; finally the deity-form manifests in the mind-space before the practitioner.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic contrast: twin lightning-like glyphs for ‘prasphurat-dvaya’, then a fierce deity silhouette with flaming aureole, priest in profile chanting, bold reds/ochres and stylized fire motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, fierce deity with gold flame halo, embossed mantra syllables in a band (Oṁ, twin sparks, ghora-ghoratara), priest at lower corner in devotion, rich jewel tones and gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence shown left-to-right: Oṁ, two spark symbols, ‘ghora-ghoratara’ in darker ink, then a framed deity icon for dhyāna; fine lines and calm composition despite fierce theme","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly pavilion with a yogin chanting; translucent calligraphy for Oṁ and twin ‘prasphurat’ sparks; a fierce deity apparition in the sky with flames rendered delicately; detailed textiles and margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"intense","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रस्फुरद्वयमुच्चरेत् = प्रस्फुरद्वयम् + उच्चरेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.2; Agni Purana 317.6 (astra/protection context); Agni Purana dhyāna-vidhi passages in the same mantra-vidhi khanda
FAQs
It gives a precise japa-krama (recitation sequence): begin with Oṁ, add a paired ‘prasphurat’ formula, then recite ‘ghora-ghoratara’, and finally perform dhyāna by visualizing the mantra’s corresponding deity-form.
Beyond mythic narration, it functions as a practical ritual manual—preserving technical mantra-sequencing and visualization (dhyāna) methods typical of Purāṇic tantra and pūjā-vidhi sections.
Correct sequencing of mantra with dhyāna is presented as a means to make the recitation efficacious—purifying the practitioner and stabilizing devotion and concentration by linking sound (mantra) with form (rūpa).