Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 14
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
ऋग्भिः षोड्शभिः कुर्यादिन्द्रियस्येति दिने दिने हिरण्यस्तूपमित्येतज्जपन् शत्रून् प्रबाधते
ṛgbhiḥ ṣoḍśabhiḥ kuryādindriyasyeti dine dine hiraṇyastūpamityetajjapan śatrūn prabādhate
பதினாறு ருக் வேத ரிசைகளால் ‘இந்திரியஸ்ய’ என்ற விதிப்படி தினந்தோறும் ஜபம்/கிரியை செய்ய வேண்டும். ‘ஹிரண்யஸ்தூபம்…’ எனத் தொடங்கும் மந்திரத்தை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் ஜபித்தால் பகைவர்கள் அடக்கப்படுவர்.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Daily protective japa using a fixed count of Ṛg-mantras to subdue hostility and neutralize opponents’ aggression (abhicāra-prayoga framed as apotropaic protection).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ṣoḍaśa-Ṛg-japa with “Indriyasya” and “Hiraṇyastūpam” for śatru-nigraha","lookup_keywords":["ṣoḍaśa ṛk","indriyasya","hiraṇyastūpam","japa","śatru-prabādha"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a daily regimen: recite sixteen Ṛg-verses keyed to the ‘Indriya’ formula and repeatedly mutter the ‘hiraṇyastūpam…’ mantra to overpower enemies and reduce hostile pressure."}
Concept: Nitya-japa (daily repetition) with precise mantra-count (saṅkhyā-niyama) yields protective efficacy.
Application: Adopt a consistent daily japa schedule with fixed counts and a single intended protective aim (rakṣā/śatru-śamana).
Khanda Section: Mantra-japa and Abhicara-Prayoga (Protective/Apotropaic Vedic Recitation)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated on kuśa grass with a japa-mālā, reciting sixteen Ṛg-verses; a subtle protective aura forms while hostile figures at a distance are pacified.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, a calm brāhmaṇa-sādhaka seated in padmāsana with mālā and palm-leaf manuscript, luminous mantra-halo, distant subdued enemies, stylized flames of protection, traditional flat shading and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka with ornate arch, gold-leaf halo around mantra text motif ‘hiraṇyastūpam’, rich jewel tones, small vignette of enemies rendered smaller and softened, heavy embellishment and gilded borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional composition showing count of 16 with bead-mālā, small panels indicating daily repetition, serene protective ambience, muted pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting with a learned reciter chanting from a manuscript, precise detailing of beads and gestures, enemies in the far background shown retreating, fine borders and naturalistic landscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यादिन्द्रियस्येति = कुर्यात् + इन्द्रियस्य + इति; हिरण्यस्तूपमित्येतज्जपन् = हिरण्यस्तूपम् + इति + एतत् + जपन् (एतत् + जपन् → एतज्जपन्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (mantra-japa/abhicāra-prayoga context); Agni Purana mantra-kalpa sections on śānti and rakṣā
FAQs
It prescribes a daily ritualized japa using sixteen Ṛgvedic verses connected with ‘Indriya’ and the mantra-incipit “hiraṇyastūpam…,” aimed at shatru-nigraha (overpowering adversaries).
Alongside theology and mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical mantra-procedures—counted recitations, specific Vedic verse-sets, and stated outcomes—showing its compendium-like coverage of applied ritual technology.
Daily disciplined japa is presented as a means to marshal Vedic power for protection and victory, implying purification through regulated practice and the channeling of sacred speech toward safeguarding one’s dharmic stability.