Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
Chapter 323 — The Six-Limbed Aghora Astras (षडङ्गान्यघोरस्त्राणि)
एकवीरन्तु विन्यस्य ध्येयः पञ्चमुखः सदा ब्रह्महर्यादिमर्दन इति ख शान्तिके पौष्टिके शुक्लो रक्तो वश्ये ऽथ पीतकः
ekavīrantu vinyasya dhyeyaḥ pañcamukhaḥ sadā brahmaharyādimardana iti kha śāntike pauṣṭike śuklo rakto vaśye 'tha pītakaḥ
ஏகவீர ந்யாசம் செய்து எப்போதும் பஞ்சமுக தேவனைத் தியானிக்க வேண்டும்; அவர் “பிரம்மா-ஹரி முதலியோரைக் கட்டுப்படுத்தி மடக்குபவன்” எனப் புகழப்படுகிறார். சாந்தி, பௌஷ்டிக கர்மங்களில் வெண்மை; வசிய கர்மத்தில் மஞ்சள்; மரபின்படி சிவப்பு நிறமாகவும் கற்பிக்க வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual visualization (dhyana) and nyasa for specific tantric karmas (shanti/paushtika/vashya), selecting deity-color (varna) appropriate to the intended effect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Panchamukha-deva-dhyana with Ekavira-nyasa for Shanti–Paushtika–Vashya","lookup_keywords":["ekavira-nyasa","panchamukha-dhyana","shanti-karma","paushtika","vashya-varna"],"quick_summary":"After Ekavira-nyasa, meditate on the five-faced deity ‘Brahma-hary-adi-mardana’. Choose the visualization color by rite: white for pacification/prosperity, yellow for attraction/control (with red implied for the corresponding operative tradition)."}
Concept: Karma-bheda in mantra-tantra: the same devata/mantra is contemplated with distinct forms (varna) to yield distinct results.
Application: When performing shanti/paushtika/vashya rites, align dhyana (form/color) with sankalpa to avoid ‘viparita-phala’ (contrary results) and to standardize ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-tantra (Shanti–Paushtika–Vashya karmas; Panchamukha-deva-dhyana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist completes Ekavira-nyasa and meditates on a five-faced deity whose body-color shifts by rite—white for shanti/paushtika, yellow for vashya, with red as an operative variant—surrounded by yantra-like geometry and mantra syllables.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Panchamukha deity seated in yogic posture, five serene faces, luminous white body for shanti, ritualist performing nyasa with hand-gestures, flat bold colors, ornate floral borders, sacred fire and kalasha nearby.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Panchamukha deity with embossed gold halo and jewelry, white/yellow/red color-variants indicated as three small vignette panels, ritualist at lower corner doing nyasa, rich textiles, gold work emphasizing faces and crown.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: left panel shows Ekavira-nyasa hand placements, right panel shows Panchamukha dhyana with labeled colors (shukla/pitaka/rakta), delicate lines, muted palette, manuscript-like annotations.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual chamber with a yogi-priest, a five-faced deity appearing in vision above a yantra, subtle shading, fine detailing of manuscripts and rosary, three color cues (white/yellow/red) as translucent overlays."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ekavīrantu = ekavīram + tu; vaśye 'tha = vaśye + atha; minor spacing ‘kha’ treated as textual marker.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-tantra sections on nyasa, dhyana, shanti/paushtika/vashya karmas (same khanda context); Agni Purana: shaiva-mantra and devata-dhyana procedural chapters (adjacent to Isana-kalpa)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-ritual procedure: after performing Ekavīra-nyāsa, one meditates on a five-faced deity and selects the deity’s color-form according to the intended rite—white for śānti and pauṣṭika, yellow for vaśya (with red also indicated for an operative/related rite in the received reading).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s cataloging of applied ritual technologies—nyāsa, dhyāna, and karma-bheda (rite-classifications like śānti/pauṣṭika/vaśya)—including practical visualization rules used in mantra-tantric worship.
Correct nyāsa and rite-appropriate dhyāna are presented as ensuring efficacy and purity of the ritual act—pacifying obstacles (śānti), increasing welfare (pauṣṭika), or directing influence (vaśya) while aligning the practitioner with the deity’s empowered form.