Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 28
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
दहन्त्वाशु रिपून् सर्वान्पताके त्वामुपाश्रिताः सर्वमेधे महायज्ञे देवदेवेन शूलिना
dahantvāśu ripūn sarvānpatāke tvāmupāśritāḥ sarvamedhe mahāyajñe devadevena śūlinā
ఓ పతాకా! నిన్ను ఆశ్రయించిన మేము—నీవు సమస్త శత్రువులను త్వరగా దహించుగాక; సర్వమేధ మహాయజ్ఞంలో దేవదేవుడైన శూలధారి (శివుడు) నిన్ను శక్తిమంతం చేసినట్లే।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual applications to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Patākā-rakṣā: consecration and invocation of a banner as a protective, enemy-burning power, linked to Śiva (Śūlin) and great-yajña empowerment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Patākā-śakti mantra: ripu-dahana and refuge","lookup_keywords":["pataka-mantra","ripu-dahana","sarvamedha","mahayajna","shulina"],"quick_summary":"Invokes the banner as a refuge-bearing protective force to burn enemies swiftly, grounding its authority in empowerment by the trident-bearing Lord at the Sarvamedha great sacrifice."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana and prārthanā (direct address + benediction)
Weapon Type: Śūla (trident) as divine authority; banner as battlefield standard
Concept: Śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in a consecrated symbol empowered by deity and yajña yields protective efficacy.
Application: Consecrate a banner in Śaiva context; install it in royal camp/temple precinct; recite for warding and morale before engagements.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Ritual invocations and protective formulas)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Type: Sacrificial ground (Yajña-vedi)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tall banner on a flagstaff radiates fiery energy as priests invoke it; Śiva the trident-bearer is envisioned above, and enemies are shown being scorched at the periphery.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, towering patākā with flame motifs, Śiva as Śūlin in the upper register, yajña-vedi with priests and offerings, enemies dissolving into smoke, bold traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central golden banner with embossed flames, Śiva with trident and ornate crown-like jaṭā, yajña scene below, heavy gold work and gemstone-like highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear ritual diagram feel: banner, yajña-altar, priestly gestures, subtle flames around enemies, fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, camp scene with royal standard, priests at a fire-altar, a visionary Śiva in the sky, enemies recoiling, intricate detailing of textiles and weaponry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dahantvāśu → dahantu āśu; sarvānpatāke → sarvān patāke; tvāmupāśritāḥ → tvām upāśritāḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana mantra-kalpa and rakṣā sections on standards/emblems and Śaiva empowerment
FAQs
It teaches a protective-invocation (mantra-prayoga) addressed to a consecrated banner (patākā), asking it—by the authority of a great sacrifice and a divine empowerer—to neutralize enemies swiftly.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied ritual technology: how objects (like flags/standards used in yajña, temples, or royal/military contexts) are sacralized and invoked for tangible outcomes such as protection and victory.
Taking refuge in a ritually empowered emblem links the practitioner to yajña-based merit and divine sanction, framing protection as a dharmic outcome of consecration, devotion, and sanctioned ritual power.