Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 13
Chapter 347: One-syllable Appellations (एकाक्षराभिधानम्)
क्षो नृसिंहे हरौ तद्वत् क्षेत्रपालकयोरपि मन्त्र एकाक्षरो देवो भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकः
kṣo nṛsiṃhe harau tadvat kṣetrapālakayorapi mantra ekākṣaro devo bhuktimuktipradāyakaḥ
‘क्षो’ इति एकाक्षरो मन्त्रः नृसिंहाय हरये च, तथा क्षेत्रपालकद्वयायापि विनियोज्यः। अयं देवः एकाक्षरो मन्त्रः भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च प्रददाति।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Ekākṣara-bīja ‘kṣo’ is prescribed for Narasiṃha/Hari and Kṣetrapālas in pūjā and protective rites to obtain bhukti (prosperity) and mukti (liberation).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Ekākṣara-mantra ‘kṣo’ for Narasiṃha, Hari, and Kṣetrapālas","lookup_keywords":["kṣo bija","Narasimha mantra","Hari ekakshara","Kshetrapala mantra","bhukti mukti"],"quick_summary":"Teaches a single-syllable divine mantra ‘kṣo’ applicable to Narasiṃha/Hari and guardian deities (Kṣetrapālas), aimed at both worldly welfare and spiritual release."}
Concept: Mantra as a compact vehicle granting both bhukti and mukti; fierce-protective divinity (Narasiṃha) harmonized with liberating Hari.
Application: Use ‘kṣo’ in japa/nyāsa during Narasiṃha or Viṣṇu worship; apply at temple/house thresholds for Kṣetrapāla protection, aligning intention toward both welfare and liberation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra / Puja-vidhi (Ekakshara-mantra and deity-nyasa context)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper performs nyāsa and japa of the single syllable ‘kṣo’ before Narasiṃha and Viṣṇu, with two Kṣetrapāla guardians stationed at the temple gate holding protective emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Narasiṃha in fierce protective stance, Hari serene beside; temple gateway with two Kṣetrapālas; the bīja ‘kṣo’ inscribed in stylized script above; strong reds, blacks, and gold-ochre.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Narasiṃha with gold halo and ornate jewelry; Hari in calm posture; gate guardians flanking; ‘kṣo’ on a gold-embossed cartouche; rich gold work and deep colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional depiction of nyāsa—hands in mudrā, rosary, altar; small labels ‘kṣo’ near deity icons; refined linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: temple courtyard scene with devotee chanting; guardians at the entrance; Narasiṃha and Hari represented in framed shrine niche; delicate architectural detailing and calligraphic ‘kṣo’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṣetrapālakayorapi = kṣetrapālakayoḥ + api (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 347 (ekākṣara and varṇa-mantra context); Adjacent Mātr̥kā/nyāsa material in 347.14–347.15
FAQs
It prescribes the one-syllable bīja “kṣo” as a practical mantra-application for Narasiṃha, Hari (Viṣṇu), and the Kṣetrapāla guardian deities—indicating its use in worship, protection, and guardian-invocation rites.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s catalog-like preservation of applied ritual technology—mapping specific seed syllables to specific deities and functions—alongside its many other domains (temple practice, polity, medicine, and arts).
The verse frames correct mantra-use as yielding both bhukti (worldly welfare, protection, prosperity) and mukti (liberation), linking ritual precision with both immediate benefits and ultimate spiritual attainment.