Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
रुद्रे रुद्रसमाः कार्याः कोष्ठकास्तत्र ता लिखेत् ओमाद्याह्रूंफडन्ता च आदिवर्णमथानुतः
rudre rudrasamāḥ kāryāḥ koṣṭhakāstatra tā likhet omādyāhrūṃphaḍantā ca ādivarṇamathānutaḥ
ருத்ரபூஜைக்காக ருத்ரத்திற்கே ஒப்பான கோஷ்டகங்கள் (மந்திரக் கட்டங்கள்) அமைக்க வேண்டும். அவற்றில் ‘ஓம்’ முதல் ‘ஹ்ரூம் ஃபட்’ வரை எழுதிக் கொண்டு, பின்னர் ஆதிவர்ணங்களை முறையே தொடர்ந்து எழுத வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Construction of a Rudra-oriented akshara-koṣṭhaka (syllabic grid/yantra) for nyāsa and mantra-lekha in protective/empowering worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rudra-koṣṭhaka (Akṣara-grid) with Oṃ…hrūṃ phaḍ sequence","lookup_keywords":["Rudra-mantra","koṣṭhaka","akṣara-krama","Oṃ","hrūṃ phaḍ"],"quick_summary":"Prepare a compartmental grid aligned to Rudra and inscribe syllables starting from Oṃ up to hrūṃ phaḍ, then fill in the initial letters in proper order for mantra-nyāsa/yantra use."}
Concept: Mantra is operationalized through ordered akṣara-krama and diagrammatic inscription (lekha/nyāsa) to embody deity-power.
Application: Follow exact syllable order and endpoints (Oṃ…phaḍ) when drawing/charging a Rudra yantra for protection and siddhi-oriented worship.
Khanda Section: Tantra-Mantra-vidhi (Rudra-mantra / Bija-akshara nyasa and diagrammatic writing)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual practitioner draws a square/rectangular akṣara-grid (koṣṭhaka) labeled for Rudra, writing Oṃ at the start and hrūṃ phaḍ at the end, then filling initial letters in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, a seated sādhaka with palm-leaf manuscript and stylus, beside a yantra-like akṣara-grid labeled Rudra, bold black outlines, minimal shading, sacred lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate frame, gold-leaf highlights on the yantra border and ritual vessels, Rudra’s presence suggested by trident motif, a clear akṣara-grid with Oṃ and hrūṃ phaḍ inscribed, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional composition: close-up of the koṣṭhaka grid with sequential akṣaras, a calm sādhaka demonstrating writing order, soft pastel palette, delicate detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down view of a scholar-sādhaka inscribing a geometric grid on paper/palm leaf, precise calligraphy of Oṃ and hrūṃ phaḍ, courtly interior with inkpot and stylus, intricate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कोष्ठकास्तत्र → कोष्ठकाः तत्र; ओमाद्याह्रूंफडन्ता → ओम्-आद्य-आ-ह्रूं-फड्-अन्ताः; आदिवर्णमथानुतः → आदि-वर्णम् अथ अनुतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (Tantra-Mantra-vidhi context)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-diagram procedure: constructing a koṣṭhaka (grid of compartments) for Rudra and inscribing syllables beginning with Oṃ and concluding with the bīja “hrūṃ” plus the protective “phaṭ,” then arranging the initial letters sequentially.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves operational ritual technology—diagram writing, bīja-mantras, and ordered syllabic placement—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical Tantra-mantra methods alongside other sciences.
By correctly forming and inscribing the Rudra-aligned mantra-grid (with Oṃ and the protective “phaṭ”), the practitioner aims at purification and safeguarding, invoking Rudra’s force in a regulated, ritually authorized manner.