Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
मध्यकोष्ठं भवेत्पद्मं पीतकर्णिकमुज्ज्वलम् कृष्णेन रजसा लिख्य कुलिशासिशितोर्धता
madhyakoṣṭhaṃ bhavetpadmaṃ pītakarṇikamujjvalam kṛṣṇena rajasā likhya kuliśāsiśitordhatā
மத்திய கோஷ்டத்தில் மஞ்சள் கர்ணிகையுடன் ஒளிரும் தாமரை இருக்க வேண்டும். அதை கருப்பு தூள் (ரஜஸ்) கொண்டு வரைய வேண்டும்; கோடுகள் வஜ்ரம் அல்லது வாளின் धारைப் போல கூர்மையாகவும் உயர்ந்ததாகவும் அமைய வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha, as the predominant Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Drawing a central lotus in a yantra/maṇḍala with specified colors and materials (yellow pericarp, black powder lines) and sharpening/raising the strokes to create a protective, weapon-like edge effect for ritual efficacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Madhya-koṣṭha Padma-lekhana: Yellow Pericarp Lotus in Yantra","lookup_keywords":["madhya-koṣṭha","padma","pīta-karṇikā","kṛṣṇa-rajas","kulisa-asi"],"quick_summary":"In the central cell draw a lotus with a bright yellow pericarp; execute the diagram with black powder and crisp, raised, sharp lines likened to vajra/sword edges for potency and clarity."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile: lines like vajra/sword edge)
Weapon Type: Vajra; Sword (asi) as metaphor for sharp raised lines
Concept: Madhya (center) as the locus of śakti; color, material, and line-quality are upāyas that stabilize visualization and protective intent.
Application: When preparing yantras, follow prescribed pigments and crisp line execution to maintain legibility, symmetry, and ritual focus.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra-Mantra-Kalpa (Tantric ritual diagrams and worship procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram shows a central lotus with a vivid yellow pericarp; black powder lines are drawn sharply and slightly raised, evoking the keen edge of a vajra or sword.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central padma in a square maṇḍala, yellow karṇikā glowing, black granular linework rendered bold and sharp, priest-artist sprinkling powder with controlled hand.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central lotus with gold-leaf halo around the yellow pericarp, black lines crisp and embossed, ritual implements (vajra, sword) placed nearby as visual analogy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional depiction of lotus geometry, labeled petals and karṇikā in yellow, black powder technique shown with a small bowl and stylus, emphasis on sharp raised strokes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a tantric officiant draws a lotus yantra on a cloth/board using black powder, the yellow center painted, fine detailing of sharp line edges and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेत्पद्मम् → भवेत् + पद्मम्; पीतकर्णिकमुज्ज्वलम् → पीत-करणिकम् + उज्ज्वलम्; कुलिशासिशितोर्धता → कुलिश-असि-शित-ऊर्धता (समास/सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana yantra/maṇḍala drawing and pūjā-vidhi passages near 310.6; Agni Purana mantra-kalpa sections describing protective diagrams and installations
FAQs
It teaches a precise yantra/mandala construction rule: place a lotus in the central cell, specify its color-feature (yellow pericarp), and prescribe the drawing medium (black powder) and the required sharp, prominent line-work.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical ritual-technology—how to physically draft a worship diagram (yantra/mandala) with materials, color cues, and drafting standards—showing the text’s coverage of applied liturgy and tantric procedure.
Correctly formed yantras are traditionally held to stabilize the deity-invocation and focus worship; precision in the diagram is treated as part of ritual purity and efficacy, supporting merit (puṇya) through proper observance.