Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 47
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
रुद्रात्मशक्तान् लिख्यादीन् नमोन्तान् विन्यसेत् क्रमात् अङ्गानि विन्यसेत्सर्वे मन्त्राः साङ्गास्तु सिद्धिदाः
rudrātmaśaktān likhyādīn namontān vinyaset kramāt aṅgāni vinyasetsarve mantrāḥ sāṅgāstu siddhidāḥ
ருத்ர-சாரமுடைய சக்திகளை—லிக்யா முதலியவற்றிலிருந்து ‘நமோ’ என முடிவடையும் வரை—வரிசையாக ந்யாசம் செய்ய வேண்டும். பின்னர் அவற்றை அங்கங்களில் நிறுவ வேண்டும். எல்லா மந்திரங்களும் சாங்கமாக (அங்க-மந்திரங்களுடன்) இருந்தால் சித்தி அளிப்பவை ஆகின்றன.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Perform mantra-nyāsa: inscribe/mentally place Rudra-śakti syllables/names (starting with Likhyā group) ending in 'namo', then do aṅga-nyāsa so the mantra becomes ‘sāṅga’ and siddhi-yielding.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rudra-śakti nyāsa and aṅga-nyāsa for mantra-siddhi","lookup_keywords":["nyāsa","aṅga-nyāsa","Rudra-śakti","namo","siddhi"],"quick_summary":"Nyāsa is to be done in sequence for Rudra-essence Śaktis, concluding with ‘namo’; then place them on the limbs. Mantras become effective (siddhi-prada) when accompanied by their ancillary limb-placements (sāṅga)."}
Concept: Embodiment of mantra: nyāsa sacralizes the practitioner’s body as a mantra-mandala; ‘sāṅga’ completeness is a principle of ritual efficacy.
Application: Before japa/pūjā, do kara-nyāsa and aṅga-nyāsa with the prescribed sequence; maintain attention on each limb-placement to stabilize concentration and reduce ritual errors.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-nyasa (Tantric ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated in pūjā posture performing aṅga-nyāsa: touching head, eyes, heart, shoulders, arms, and other limbs in sequence while visualizing Rudra-śaktis and concluding with ‘namo’, with a liṅga or Śiva yantra before him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple interior with oil lamps, sādhaka performing nyāsa gestures, subtle yantra patterns, Rudra presence as luminous aura, earthy palette and stylized hands touching limbs in sequence.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, seated sādhaka before a Śiva-liṅga, gold-leaf aura around liṅga, clear depiction of hand-to-limb nyāsa gesture, ornate ritual vessels, rich gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: numbered limb points for aṅga-nyāsa, neat composition, soft colors, fine gold lines, mantra syllables written near each limb placement.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate shrine scene with detailed textiles and vessels, sādhaka performing nyāsa, calligraphic ‘namo’ near the figure, delicate architectural niche and lamp light."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vinyasetsarve → vinyaset + sarve; sāṅgāstu → sāṅgāḥ + tu. The accusative series (rudrātmaśaktān…namontān) are objects of vinyaset.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (pūjā-vidhi/mantra-nyāsa context)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-nyāsa: sequentially placing Rudra-oriented Śakti mantras (from Likhyā onward, ending in ‘namo’) onto the body’s limbs as aṅga-nyāsa, making the mantra-system ritually complete.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves precise ritual technology—how to operationalize mantras through nyāsa and aṅga-mantras—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical liturgy and Tantra-like procedural details.
Completing a mantra with its aṅgas and properly performing nyāsa is presented as a condition for siddhi—ritual efficacy—supporting purification, focused worship, and successful completion of the intended rite.