Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 78
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
प्राणान्तिके भये प्राप्ते क्षिप्रमायुस्तु विन्दति प्रावेयामित्यृचमेकां जपेच्च मनसा निशि
prāṇāntike bhaye prāpte kṣipramāyustu vindati prāveyāmityṛcamekāṃ japecca manasā niśi
உயிர்க்கு ஆபத்தான பயம் ஏற்பட்டால் விரைவில் ஆயுள் பெறப்படும்; இரவில் ‘ப்ராவேயாம்…’ எனத் தொடங்கும் ஒரு ரிக் பாடலை மனதினால் ஜபிக்க வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Emergency protective japa (āpad-japa) for prāṇāntika-bhaya: mental repetition at night of a single Ṛg-verse ‘prāveyām…’ to regain/secure lifespan.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āpad (Emergency) Night Manasa-Japa of ‘Prāveyām…’ for Life-threatening Fear","lookup_keywords":["prāṇāntika bhaya","manasa japa","night","prāveyām","āyuḥ"],"quick_summary":"In acute danger, perform nocturnal mental japa of the specified Ṛg-verse; the practice is framed as quickly restoring steadiness and ‘āyuḥ’ (lifespan/protection)."}
Concept: Manasa-japa as immediate refuge: when external ritual is impossible, inward repetition becomes the swift protective means.
Application: In crisis (accident risk, severe fear, sudden illness), stabilize breath, keep attention on the mantra mentally (without voice), and maintain wakeful composure through the night as feasible.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Protective rites and emergency japa)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night scene: a person in danger or intense fear sits upright, eyes half-closed, performing silent mental japa; a dim lamp and protective sacred thread/mālā nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nocturnal interior with oil lamp, devotee seated in yogic posture doing manasa-japa, deep indigo background, stylized shadows, protective aura motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, night vigil with lamp rendered in gold highlights, devotee with serene yet intense expression, ornate border, subtle gold aura signifying regained āyuḥ.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional night-japa scene: posture, closed lips indicating mental recitation, calm breath, minimal objects (lamp, mālā), clean composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, moonlit chamber with lattice window, figure seated in contemplation, delicate lamp glow, fine textile details, subdued palette emphasizing night practice."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṣipramāyustu → kṣipram āyuḥ tu; prāveyāmityṛcamekāṃ → prāveyām iti ṛcam ekām; japecca → japet ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (protective rites; emergency mantra applications)
FAQs
It teaches an emergency mantra-prayoga: in a life-threatening situation, perform night-time mānasa-japa of a specified Ṛgvedic ṛc (identified by its opening words “prāveyām…”) to secure longevity.
Alongside theology and narrative, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical, application-based ritual technology—here, a concise field-instruction for crisis protection (rakṣā) and extension of lifespan (āyuḥ), reflecting its compendium style.
Mental repetition of a Vedic ṛc is treated as a purifying, protective act; done with focus at night, it is presented as generating protective merit (puṇya) and warding off imminent harm, resulting in preservation or restoration of āyuḥ.