Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
मन्त्रा ईशानमुख्याश् च धर्मकामादिदायकाः ईशानः सर्वविद्यानामीश्वरःसर्वभूतानां
mantrā īśānamukhyāś ca dharmakāmādidāyakāḥ īśānaḥ sarvavidyānāmīśvaraḥsarvabhūtānāṃ
एते मन्त्राः—ईशानमुख्याश्च—धर्मकामादिदायकाः। ईशानः सर्वविद्यानामीश्वरः सर्वभूतानां चाधिपः।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Frames Īśāna as the supreme lord of vidyās and beings; motivates mantra-upāsanā for attaining puruṣārthas (dharma, kāma, etc.).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Īśāna as Sarvavidyānām Īśvara and Puruṣārtha-dātā","lookup_keywords":["Īśāna","sarvavidyā","puruṣārtha","dharma kāma","īśvara"],"quick_summary":"Declares Īśāna’s mantras as puruṣārtha-bestowing and identifies Īśāna as lord of all knowledge and all beings—grounding mantra practice in a theistic metaphysics."}
Concept: Īśāna/Śiva as the sovereign ground of knowledge (vidyā) and lordship over beings; mantras as means to puruṣārthas.
Application: Orients practitioners to treat mantra as a disciplined approach under divine lordship, aligning desires with dharma.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Ishana-mantras and deity-epithets)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene depiction of Īśāna as the presiding lord of knowledge, with sages holding manuscripts and students receiving mantra instruction; symbols of dharma and kāma shown as balanced aims.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Īśāna/Śiva in calm aspect with subtle third eye; surrounding rishis with palm-leaf manuscripts; four puruṣārtha emblems arranged harmoniously; temple-like compositional symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: enthroned Śiva as Īśāna with gold halo; attendants holding śāstra texts; small medallions for dharma and kāma; ornate arch and rich gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene—teacher-guru before a blackboard-like manuscript panel listing ‘dharma kāma’; Īśāna as blessing presence above; clean lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly assembly with manuscripts; a luminous Śiva-figure as metaphysical presence; refined architectural backdrop; calligraphy cartouche with ‘sarvavidyānām īśvaraḥ’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रा = मन्त्राः. ईशानमुख्याश् = ईशानमुख्याः. सर्वविद्यानामीश्वरःसर्वभूतानां = सर्वविद्यानाम् + ईश्वरः + सर्वभूतानाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (īśāna-mantra section)
FAQs
It states the phala (ritual fruit) of Īśāna-centered mantras: they grant dharma, kāma, and related attainments, and it identifies Īśāna as the presiding lord over all vidyās—supporting mantra-japa and deity-oriented upāsanā.
By mapping mantra practice to concrete life-goals (puruṣārtha-oriented results) and by presenting a theological classification—Īśāna as lord of all knowledge—this verse integrates ritual science (mantra-vidhi), ethics (dharma), and worldly aims (kāma) in a compact doctrinal summary typical of the Agni Purana’s broad scope.
It frames Īśāna-mantras as merit-producing and life-ordering: practiced correctly, they are said to align one’s karmic trajectory toward dharma while also enabling legitimate worldly fulfillment (kāma), under the sovereignty of Īśāna as the inner ruler of beings.