Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
Tvaritājñānam
Knowledge of Tvaritā, the Swift Goddess) — Agni Purana, Adhyāya 314 (as introduced after 313
ॐ ह्रीं क्षूं छन्द छन्द चतुरः कण्ठकान् कालरात्रिकां ऐशादावम्बुपादौ च यमराज्यञ्च वाह्यतः कालीनारवमाली कालीनामाक्षमालिनी
oṃ hrīṃ kṣūṃ chanda chanda caturaḥ kaṇṭhakān kālarātrikāṃ aiśādāvambupādau ca yamarājyañca vāhyataḥ kālīnāravamālī kālīnāmākṣamālinī
ఓం—హ్రీం, క్షూం బీజములతో—నాలుగు ఛందస్సులను పునఃపునః ఆహ్వానించాలి; కంఠరక్షక న్యాసం చేయాలి; కాలరాత్రికాను స్మరించాలి. ఈశాన దిక్కు మొదలుకొని జలపాదములు (శుద్ధి ఆధారము) స్థాపించి, బాహ్యంగా యమరాజ్యాన్ని ఆవరించాలి. అట్లే కాళీ నాదమాలాతో అలంకృతురాలై, అక్షరమాల (అక్షమాల) ధరించునది।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Agni Purana teachings to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Nyāsa/kavaca-style protective placement using bīja-s, directional sealing, and Devī-identification for ritual safety and warding of death/inauspicious forces.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kālī-Kavaca Nyāsa with Hrīṃ–Kṣūṃ and Chandas-Sealing","lookup_keywords":["hrīṃ","kṣūṃ","kālī kavaca","chandas nyāsa","diśā-bandhana"],"quick_summary":"A protection formula that installs bīja-s and metrical powers (chandas) as a ritual armor, seals directions beginning with Īśāna, and identifies the practitioner with Kālī’s fierce protective field."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic bīja-patterning)
Concept: Śabda (bīja/chandas) as protective power; dik-bandhana and devatā-tādātmya (identity with the deity) as ritual security.
Application: Use in kavaca/nyāsa before japa, homa, or liminal rites to prevent obstacles and fear of death/inauspicious forces.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Tantric Devī-mantra and Kavaca/Protection Formulas)
Primary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka performing Kālī-kavaca nyāsa: bīja-s glowing at the throat and limbs, directions sealed from Īśāna onward, with Kālī/Kālarātrī appearing bearing an akṣa-mālā and fierce garland, while a boundary to Yama’s realm is ritually marked.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral colors, Kālī/Kālarātrī frontal stance with akṣa-mālā, sādhaka in ritual posture applying nyāsa to throat and limbs, directional guardians faintly indicated, sacred geometry aura, high contrast reds/blacks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Kālī with gold-leaf halo and ornate jewelry, akṣa-mālā emphasized, sādhaka at lower corner performing nyāsa, directional emblems around, rich maroon background, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: labeled directions (Īśāna etc.), sādhaka placing bīja-s on body points, Kālī icon at side with rosary, clean lines, soft palette, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision applied to tantric scene: sādhaka in a pavilion-like ritual space, compass-like directions around, spectral Yama-boundary outside frame, Kālī appearing in dark aura with rosary, fine brushwork and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यमराज्यञ्च = यमराज्यम् + च (anusvāra/ñc sandhi). ऐशादौ = ऐशात् + आदौ (t/d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 313 (Mantra-vidyā: Devī-mantra, kavaca, rakṣā)
FAQs
It encodes a Devī-mantra procedure using bījas (hrīṃ, kṣūṃ) and a directional/protective installation (nyāsa/rakṣā) invoking Kālarātrī/Kālī, with emphasis on guarding the throat region and establishing an outer protective boundary.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also preserves applied ritual technologies—bīja-mantras, direction-based placements, and protective rites—showing its breadth as a compendium of practical religious disciplines.
Invoking fierce Devī forms (Kālarātrī/Kālī) with bījas and protective placements is intended to remove fear, ward off harmful forces, and strengthen spiritual resolve against death-associated anxieties symbolized by Yama’s domain.