Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
अस्त्रेण ताडनं कृत्वा गुह्याङ्गानि ततो न्यसेत् विद्याङ्गैश् चैव सन्नद्धं विद्याङ्गेषु नियोजयेत्
astreṇa tāḍanaṃ kṛtvā guhyāṅgāni tato nyaset vidyāṅgaiś caiva sannaddhaṃ vidyāṅgeṣu niyojayet
அஸ்திர மந்திரத்தால் தாடனம் (ஆகாத-கிரியை) செய்து, பின்னர் குஹ்யாங்கங்களில் ந்யாசம் நிறுவ வேண்டும். வித்யாவின் அங்கங்களால் சன்னத்தமாக (பாதுகாப்புடன்) இருந்து, அந்தப் பாதுகாப்பை வித்யாங்கங்களிலேயே செயல்படுத்த வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s dominant narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective nyāsa and kavaca-making: use Astra-mantra for ritual striking (tāḍana), then place guhyāṅgas and ‘arm’ oneself with vidyā-aṅgas for operative protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-Tāḍana and Guhyāṅga/Vidyāṅga Nyāsa for Kavaca","lookup_keywords":["astra-mantra","tāḍana","nyāsa","guhyāṅga","kavaca"],"quick_summary":"Begin with Astra-mantra tapping to clear/guard, then perform nyāsa on secret points; establish a full protective ‘armor’ by installing the vidyā’s limbs and applying them across the corresponding limbs."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric weapon)
Concept: Mantra is treated as armor and weapon: purification/warding (astra-tāḍana) precedes installation (nyāsa), producing embodied protection (kavaca-bhāva).
Application: Before mantra-prayoga, do a brief astra-tāḍana and systematic nyāsa to reduce distraction and maintain ritual boundaries (saṅkalpa, rakṣā).
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Mantra/Weapon-nyasa and ritualized astravidhi)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka performs astra-tāḍana—ritual tapping around the body—then touches specific ‘secret’ points for nyāsa, visualized as luminous syllables forming an armor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic pose of sādhaka with right hand in tapping gesture, glowing bija-syllables on body points, stylized aura, deep reds/ochres, temple ritual setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, sādhaka seated with gold-embossed aura, luminous letters on limbs, ornate borders, ritual implements (mālā, kamaṇḍalu), gold highlights on protective ‘armor’","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic yet elegant: body map with marked guhyāṅga points, sequence of gestures for tāḍana and nyāsa, soft colors, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined figure performing gestures in a quiet chamber, delicate calligraphic syllables floating near limbs, detailed textiles and instruments"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विद्याङ्गैश् चैव→विद्याङ्गैः+च+एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 310 (astravidhi, nyāsa, aṅga-krama)
FAQs
It teaches an astravidhi step: perform Astra-mantra ‘tāḍana’ (ritual tapping) and then do nyāsa on the guhyāṅgas, establishing protection through the structured ‘vidyā-aṅgas’ (mantric limbs/components).
Alongside theology and narratives, the Agni Purāṇa preserves operational ritual technology—mantra-application, nyāsa mapping, and protective astric procedures—showing it as a compendium of practical liturgical and esoteric methods.
By ritually ‘arming’ the body via Astra-mantra and nyāsa, the practitioner is understood to remove obstructions and establish kavaca-like protection, supporting purity, successful rite-completion, and safeguarded spiritual practice.