Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 68
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
ऋचं महीति जप्त्वा यदि ह्य् एतत् सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात् द्वाचत्वारिंशतिं चैन्द्रं जप्त्वा नाशयते रिपून्
ṛcaṃ mahīti japtvā yadi hy etat sarvakāmānavāpnuyāt dvācatvāriṃśatiṃ caindraṃ japtvā nāśayate ripūn
“मही …” इत्यृचं जप्त्वा हि सर्वकामान् अवाप्नुयात्। द्वाचत्वारिंशतिं चैन्द्रं जप्त्वा रिपून् नाशयति।
Lord Agni (teaching in Agni Purana’s mantra-japa section, traditionally addressed to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Japa for siddhi: ‘Mahī…’ ṛk for sarva-kāma attainment; Indra-mantra recited 42 times for enemy-destruction (protective/strategic use).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Japa-saṅkhyā Phala: ‘Mahī’ for Sarva-kāma; Indra-mantra 42 for Ripu-nāśa","lookup_keywords":["mahī ṛk sarvakāma","Indra mantra 42","japa-saṅkhyā","ripu-nāśana","phala-śruti"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a results-oriented japa formula: recite the ‘Mahī…’ ṛk to obtain desired aims, and repeat an Indra-mantra forty-two times to neutralize enemies."}
Weapon Type: Vajra (implicit via Indra)
Concept: Mantra is treated as an applied technology: specific texts plus specific counts yield specific outcomes (kāma-siddhi, ripu-nāśa).
Application: Use counted japa (saṅkhyā-niyama): ‘Mahī…’ for personal aims; Indra-mantra 42 times when facing opposition, maintaining focus and ethical restraint.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Japa and Phala-śruti)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner counts japa on a mālā; one panel emphasizes ‘Mahī…’ for wish-fulfillment, another shows Indra’s protective force invoked with the number 42, symbolically subduing enemies.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: devotee with mālā, a circular mandala with four directions labeled for ‘sarva-kāma’; Indra above with vajra, adversarial shadows dissolving; strong contours, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Indra enthroned with vajra, gold foil highlights; devotee below counting 42 beads marked by small gold dots; wish-fulfillment motif as a lotus of boons around ‘Mahī’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional close-up of mālā counting with a side panel showing ‘42’ as bead-count diagram; Indra icon small and precise; calm, technical clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar in a garden pavilion counting beads; a faint celestial Indra in clouds; adversaries in the distance retreating; fine detailing and restrained color harmony."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महīti = मही + इति; ह्येतत् = हि + एतत्; सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात् = सर्वकामान् + अवाप्नुयात्; द्वाचत्वारिंशतिं चैन्द्रम् = द्वाचत्वारिंशतिम् + च + ऐन्द्रम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Japa-phala and saṅkhyā-niyama passages in Mantra-vidhi; Agni Purana: Indra-related protective mantra listings
FAQs
It prescribes specific japa applications: reciting a particular ṛc (identified by the incipit “mahī”) for attainment of all desired aims, and repeating an Indra-related mantra exactly forty-two times for enemy-subduing/protective efficacy.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual aspect—cataloging mantras, their counted repetitions, and targeted results (kāmya and protective rites), alongside the Purana’s many other domains such as polity, medicine, architecture, and poetics.
The verse frames mantra-japa as a disciplined, merit-bearing act that channels devotional and ritual power toward legitimate aims—prosperity/fulfillment (sarva-kāma) and protection/victory (ripū-nāśa) through Indra’s martial sovereignty.