Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 30
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
नीलोत्पलदलश्याम कृष्ण दुःस्वप्ननाशन असिर्विशसनः खड्गस्तीक्ष्णधारो दुरासदः
nīlotpaladalaśyāma kṛṣṇa duḥsvapnanāśana asirviśasanaḥ khaḍgastīkṣṇadhāro durāsadaḥ
नीलोत्पलदलश्यामः कृष्णो दुःस्वप्ननाशनः। असिर्विशसनः खड्गस्तीक्ष्णधारो दुरासदः॥
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective recitation (rakṣā-kavaca) using weapon-names and epithets to avert nightmares, fear, and hostile forces; used before travel, battle, or sleep.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Khāḍga/Nistriṁśa Rakṣā-nāma (Epithets: Nīlotpalaśyāma etc.)","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā-kavaca","khadga","duḥsvapna-nāśana","nīlotpala-śyāma","tīkṣṇadhāra"],"quick_summary":"A stotra-like string of protective epithets identifying the sword as a divine, unassailable power; recitation is framed as apotropaic—especially for destroying duḥsvapna (evil dreams) and warding danger."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (nīlotpala-dala-śyāma) and Nāmāvalī-śailī (litany of epithets)
Weapon Type: Sword (asi/khadga/nistriṁśa)
Concept: Nāma-śakti: divine power is accessed through epithets; weapon is treated as a conscious protector (āyudha-devatā).
Application: Use disciplined recitation and visualization of the weapon’s protective form to stabilize mind (fear/dreams) and secure safety.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya / Raksha-kavacha (Protective epithets and weapon-names used in stotra-style recitation)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine sword-personification: a dark-blue, lotus-petal-hued radiance surrounding a sharp, gleaming blade that dispels ominous dream-figures and hostile spirits.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep indigo-black śyāma aura, personified khadga with fiery tejas, subdued duḥsvapna-demons dissolving, bold outlines, flat yet luminous colors, sacred protective mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ornate sword-deity with gold foil halo, nīlotpala-blue complexion motif in background, sharp-edged khadga highlighted with gold work, small fleeing nightmare-figures at the base.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, instructional panel showing the sword with labeled epithets (nīlotpala-śyāma, duḥsvapna-nāśana, tīkṣṇadhāra), calm protective composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed steel blade with jeweled hilt, night scene with dream-clouds dispersing, subtle chiaroscuro, calligraphic cartouches bearing the epithets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nīlotpaladalaśyāma = nīla+utpala+dala+śyāma (compound); duḥsvapnanāśana = duḥsvapna+nāśana; khaḍgastīkṣṇadhāraḥ = khaḍgaḥ tīkṣṇadhāraḥ (visarga sandhi: aḥ + t → a t); words are largely epithets in nominative singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 268 (rakṣā-kavaca/āyudha-nāma sections); Agni Purana mantra-vidyā and nyāsa-related passages nearby
FAQs
It conveys rakṣā-mantra usage through a name-litany: reciting these epithets (color-form and weapon-aspects) functions as a protective kavacha, specifically including a duḥsvapna-nāśana (bad-dream-destroying) designation.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical mantra-technology—protective naming formulas and martial symbolism (asi/khaḍga, sharp edge, unassailable power), showing how devotion, protection, and weapon-imagery are integrated into applied ritual speech.
Meditating on and reciting these names is framed as a purifier and protector: it wards off inauspicious dream-omens, strengthens inner fearlessness, and invokes divine, invincible power against harm.