Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 12
Chapter 283 — Mantras as Medicine (मन्त्ररूपौषधकथनम्)
गरुडध्वजश् च विषहृत् वासुदेवं सदाजपेत् धान्यादिस्थापने स्वप्ने अनन्ताच्युतमीरयेत्
garuḍadhvajaś ca viṣahṛt vāsudevaṃ sadājapet dhānyādisthāpane svapne anantācyutamīrayet
‘గరుడధ్వజ’ మరియు ‘విషహృత’ నామాలను నిత్యం జపించాలి; ‘వాసుదేవ’ నామాన్ని ఎల్లప్పుడూ పఠించాలి. ధాన్యాది నిల్వచేసే వేళ, అలాగే స్వప్నంలో ‘అనంత’ ‘అచ్యుత’ నామాలను ఉచ్చరించాలి.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s japa and prayoga-vidhi sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Protective and purpose-specific nāma-japa: daily remembrance for general safeguarding; specific utterances during grain storage (prosperity/protection) and upon waking from dreams (warding off inauspiciousness).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nāma-japa for protection: Garuḍadhvaja, Viṣahṛt, Vāsudeva; Ananta–Acyuta for storage and dreams","lookup_keywords":["Garuḍadhvaja","Viṣahṛt","Vāsudeva","Ananta","Acyuta"],"quick_summary":"Maintain constant japa of Viṣṇu-nāmas for protection; at grain-storage rites and when affected by dreams, utter Ananta and Acyuta as apotropaic names."}
Concept: Nāma as upāya: Viṣṇu-nāma-smaraṇa applied to specific life-situations for śānti and rakṣā.
Application: Adopt situational remembrance: daily japa; invoke Ananta–Acyuta at storage/threshold moments and after dreams to stabilize mind and fortune.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Nāma-japa and ritual applications)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder performing simple nāma-japa before a Viṣṇu shrine; a granary being sealed while uttering Ananta–Acyuta; a person waking from a dream and praying for protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Viṣṇu with Garuḍa emblem on a tall dhvaja-stambha, devotee with folded hands near a granary, warm earthy pigments, temple interior lamps, stylized lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Viṣṇu (Vāsudeva) with śaṅkha-cakra, gold-leaf halo and ornaments; side vignette of grain pots and a devotee chanting Ananta–Acyuta, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: instructional tableau—left panel daily japa before tulasī and Viṣṇu icon; right panel granary storage rite; bottom panel dream-waking remembrance; delicate lines, muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: domestic courtyard with granary jars, a devotee reciting; night scene inset of sleeper and awakening prayer; fine detailing of textiles, architectural arches, subdued gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गरुडध्वजश्→गरुडध्वजः; सदाजपेत्→सदा जपेत्; धान्यादिस्थापने→धान्य-आदि-स्थापने; अनन्ताच्युतमीरयेत्→अनन्त-अच्युतम् ईरयेत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 283 (Mantra-rūpa-auṣadha / nāma-japa applications); Agni Purana 284 (transition to bhaiṣajya-siddha-yoga)
FAQs
It teaches prayoga (situational application) of Viṣṇu-nāma-japa: specific epithets are to be recited regularly for protection, and particular names are prescribed for contexts like storing provisions and addressing dream-states.
By cataloging practical, context-specific religious techniques—name-recitation for poison-removal, safeguarding stored food supplies, and mitigating dream-related anxiety—this verse exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of applied ritual life alongside theology.
Reciting Viṣṇu’s names is presented as a purificatory and protective act: it invokes divine guardianship, reduces fear and inauspiciousness (especially around dreams), and supports dharmic well-being in daily household activities such as safeguarding sustenance.