Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
मूलविद्यां समुच्चार्य मरुद्व्योमगतां द्विज प्रथमेन पुनश् चैव कर्णिकायां प्रपूजयेत्
mūlavidyāṃ samuccārya marudvyomagatāṃ dvija prathamena punaś caiva karṇikāyāṃ prapūjayet
ஓ த்விஜனே! மூலவித்யையைத் தெளிவாக உச்சரித்து, காற்றிலும் ஆகாயத்திலும் நிலைபெற்ற அந்த சக்தியை முதல் முறையின்படி மீண்டும் தாமரையின் கர்ணிகையில் முறையாகப் பூஜிக்க வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Mantra-japa and lotus-pericarp worship: utter the mūla-vidyā and perform focused pūjā in the karṇikā, aligning the invoked power with subtle elements (vāyu/ākāśa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mūla-vidyā-ucchāra and karṇikā-pūjā for vāyu-ākāśa-sthita śakti","lookup_keywords":["mūla-vidyā","japa","karṇikā","vāyu","ākāśa"],"quick_summary":"After clear recitation of the root-mantra, worship again by the prescribed first method in the lotus pericarp, contemplating the mantra-power as stationed in wind and sky (subtle elements)."}
Concept: Mantra is a subtle power aligned with bhūta-tattvas; correct ucchāra and inner placement (karṇikā) stabilize realization.
Application: Train precise pronunciation and visualization: seat the mantra in the heart of the diagram (karṇikā) while contemplating its pervasion through vāyu and ākāśa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-japa and Yantra/Padma worship procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner (dvija) seated before a lotus maṇḍala, reciting the root-mantra; attention drawn to the central pericarp where the invoked presence is visualized as airy and sky-like, with subtle swirling wind motifs and open space symbolism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: priestly figure chanting, lotus diagram prominent, central karṇikā glowing, stylized wind curls and blue space field around, lamps and ritual vessels, calm sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central lotus with gem-like karṇikā, gold aura suggesting ākāśa radiance, devotee chanting mūla-vidyā, ornate borders, rich blues for sky and gold for mantra light.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic composition showing lotus parts (petals, karṇikā) clearly, practitioner pointing/placing offerings at karṇikā, subtle wind/sky iconography, soft colors and precise lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-priest in a pavilion, lotus diagram on a cloth, calligraphic mantra strip, delicate depiction of wind as flowing ribbons and sky as pale blue wash, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 310 (mūla-vidyā, padma-cakra worship sequence; nyāsa details continue in 310.10–310.11)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific pūjā step: after pronouncing the mūla-mantra, the practitioner re-applies the first recitation/procedure to worship the deity/vidyā seated in the lotus’s central karṇikā, associated with the marut (wind) and vyoma (sky) principles.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of applied ritual technology—mantra pronunciation, element (tattva) mapping, and lotus/yantra-centered worship—alongside its many other domains (dharma, polity, medicine, arts).
By correctly uttering the root-mantra and worshipping the mantra-deity at the ritual center (karṇikā), the rite is believed to become ‘properly installed’ and efficacious—supporting purification, steadiness of prāṇa, and successful mantra-siddhi.