Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
मर्दयन्तु रणे शत्रून् सम्प्रगृह्योपहारकं सपुत्रमातृभृत्यो ऽहं देवा वः शरणङ्गतः
mardayantu raṇe śatrūn sampragṛhyopahārakaṃ saputramātṛbhṛtyo 'haṃ devā vaḥ śaraṇaṅgataḥ
रणे शत्रून् मर्दयन्तु, उपहारकं सम्प्रगृह्य; अहं सपुत्रमातृभृत्यः, हे देवाः, वः शरणं गतः।
Lord Agni (as narrator of the Agni Purana, presenting a prayoga-style verse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Battle-protection and enemy-subduing prayer combined with śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) for the fighter and his dependents; used as a pre-combat or crisis kavaca.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Raṇa-rakṣā and Śaraṇāgati Prayer for Crushing Enemies","lookup_keywords":["raṇa","mardayantu","śaraṇāgati","kavaca","jaya"],"quick_summary":"The speaker asks the invoked powers to crush enemies in battle while declaring refuge in the gods along with family and retinue—linking martial success to divine protection and ethical dependence."}
Concept: Śaraṇāgati: acknowledging human vulnerability and placing dependents under divine guardianship even amid righteous conflict.
Application: Frame martial action within dharmic restraint: seek protection, not mere aggression; remember responsibility toward family and followers.
Khanda Section: Raksha-mantra & Yuddha-prayoga (Protective incantations and battle-invocations)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield edge scene: the supplicant-warrior stands with folded hands before unseen deities, with sons, mother, and attendants behind; enemies in the distance; the prayer for crushing foes and seeking refuge is central.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a warrior in traditional armor praying, family group behind, stylized battlefield beyond; divine presence suggested by luminous aura above; bold lines, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of the warrior in añjali-mudrā with gold halo, family figures behind, a symbolic divine canopy overhead; gold embossing emphasizing protection and victory.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore narrative painting: pre-battle camp, warrior reciting mantra, attendants holding standards; delicate shading, clear storytelling, manuscript aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a commander offering prayer before engagement; family/retinue at the tent entrance; distant troops; intricate textiles, realistic faces, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sampragṛhya + upahārakam → sampragṛhyopahārakam; bhṛtyaḥ + aham → bhṛtyo 'ham (avagraha); śaraṇam + gataḥ → śaraṇaṅgataḥ (anusvāra/ṅ before g).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (rakṣā/jaya sequence continuing)
FAQs
It functions as a rakṣā/prayoga-style invocation: a suppliant performs śaraṇāgati (seeking divine refuge) while petitioning the gods for battlefield subjugation of enemies and capture of the opponent’s support/tribute-bearer.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied manuals (prayogas) for protection and victory—showing how Puranic religion intersects with practical concerns like conflict, security, and statecraft-adjacent outcomes.
By explicitly taking refuge in the gods (śaraṇāgati) on behalf of one’s household and dependents, the act frames victory-seeking within dharmic dependence on divine protection rather than mere personal force, emphasizing surrender and safeguarded responsibility.