Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 25
Chapter 299 — ग्रहहृन्मन्त्रादिकम्
Grahahṛn-Mantras and Allied Procedures
वह्नीशरक्षो मरुताम् किक्षु पूज्या हृदादयः स्वमन्त्रैः कर्णिकान्तस्था दिक्ष्वस्त्रं पुरतः सदृक्
vahnīśarakṣo marutām kikṣu pūjyā hṛdādayaḥ svamantraiḥ karṇikāntasthā dikṣvastraṃ purataḥ sadṛk
พึงบูชาอัคนี อีศะ (ศิวะ) เทพผู้พิทักษ์ (รักษะห์) และหมู่มรุต. จากนั้นพึงกระทำนยาสะเริ่มด้วย “หฤทัย” เป็นต้น ด้วยมนต์ของตน ๆ วางไว้ ณ ปลายเกสรกลางดอกบัว; แล้ววางมนต์อัสตระในทิศทั้งหลาย และตั้งไว้เบื้องหน้าเป็นสทฤก (สายตา/กำแพงคุ้มครอง) เพื่อป้องกัน।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual protection and empowerment: worship of Agni, Īśa, rakṣa-deities, and Maruts; perform hṛdādi-nyāsa on the lotus-karnikā; apply astra-mantra for dik-bandhana and frontal protective barrier.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dik-bandhana with hṛdādi-nyāsa and astra-mantra","lookup_keywords":["dik-bandhana","astra-mantra","hṛdādi-nyāsa","karnikā","Marut"],"quick_summary":"After worshipping protective deities, place the heart-and-limbs nyāsas at the lotus center and seal the directions with the astra-mantra, establishing a guarded ritual space."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric weapon) as protective ‘weapon-mantra’
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on rakṣā (protection) and internal placement (nyāsa) before external offerings; the sādhaka constructs a mantra-body and a guarded field.
Application: Before major japa/homa/pūjā, perform dik-bandhana and hṛdādi-nyāsa to reduce distraction, fear, and ritual obstacles (vighna).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Mantra-nyasa and Dik-bandhana)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual lotus diagram with the sādhaka placing nyāsa at the karnikā, while guardian deities stand in the quarters; a luminous ‘astra’ barrier forms around and in front.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized lotus-yantra on floor, Agni and Īśa icon panels, Maruts in the directions, priest performing mudrās; glowing circular boundary indicating dik-bandhana.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate directional guardians around a central lotus; gold-leaf ring as protective astra-field; priest with ritual implements; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional depiction of lotus with labeled karnikā, arrows to directions for astra application; clean composition, manuscript-like clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor shrine scene with geometric lotus diagram, attendants, subtle light ring marking protection; detailed costumes; calligraphic ‘astra’ near the perimeter."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्णिकान्तस्थाः = कर्णिका + अन्त + स्थाः; दिक्ष्वस्त्रम् = दिक्षु + अस्त्रम् (उ + अ → व).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 299 (nyāsa, ṣaḍaṅga, protective rites sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a protective worship sequence: invoke and worship Agni, Īśa, guardian powers and the Maruts, then perform hṛdaya-ādi nyāsa with specific mantras, and finally apply the astra-mantra in the directions and in front as a protective barrier.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves operational ritual technology—nyāsa placements, lotus-seat visualization, and directional warding (dik-bandhana) using the astra-mantra—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical mantra-śāstra and temple/household worship procedure.
By establishing nyāsa and directional protection, the practitioner ritually purifies the body-mind as a fit seat for deity-presence and prevents obstructive influences, supporting steadiness (śuddhi, rakṣā) and the successful completion (siddhi) of worship.