Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 308 — Worship of Tvaritā (त्वरितापूजा)
फट्कारी चाग्रतो देव्याः श्रीवीजेनार्चयेदिमाः लोकेशायुधवर्णास्ताः फट्कारी तु धनुर्धरा
phaṭkārī cāgrato devyāḥ śrīvījenārcayedimāḥ lokeśāyudhavarṇāstāḥ phaṭkārī tu dhanurdharā
และเบื้องหน้าพระเทวี พึงบูชาพลังประกอบเหล่านี้ด้วยศรี-พีชะ ให้กำหนดนิมิตว่าแต่ละองค์มีสีสันดุจอาวุธของเหล่าโลกปาละ; ส่วนผัฏการีนั้นเป็นผู้ทรงธนู
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedures to sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Worship of attendant śaktis before the Devī using Śrī-bīja; visualization of their colors as per Lokapāla weapon-hues; identifies Phaṭkārī as bow-bearing śakti.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śrī-bīja Arcana of Attendant Śaktis; Phaṭkārī Dhanurdharā Visualization","lookup_keywords":["śrī-bīja","phaṭkārī","lokapāla-āyudha-varṇa","arcana","dhanurdharā"],"quick_summary":"Invoke and worship the front-facing attendant powers with the Śrī-bīja; visualize them in the hues associated with the guardians’ weapons, with Phaṭkārī specifically holding a bow."}
Weapon Type: Bow
Concept: Bīja-mantra (Śrī) as a compact power-seed; parivāra-śakti worship completes the deity’s functional mandala (protection, empowerment).
Application: In pūjā sequence, honor attendant powers with correct bīja and iconographic attributes to ‘seal’ the ritual field and support desired outcomes.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Devi-upasana / Sri-vidya–tantric worship sequence)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Before the central Goddess stand attendant powers, each tinted with hues echoing the Lokapālas’ weapon-colors; Phaṭkārī is prominent holding a bow; the Śrī-bīja is inscribed or implied in the worship setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central Devī with frontal attendant śaktis, each in distinct weapon-hues, Phaṭkārī holding bow, Śrī-bīja motif subtly placed, bold outlines and sacred symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Devī with parivāra śaktis in front, gold-work on weapons and ornaments, Phaṭkārī with bow highlighted, Śrī-bīja on decorative panel, rich temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear arrangement diagram: Devī and front attendants, color swatches tied to lokapāla weapons, Phaṭkārī labeled with bow, neat composition for ritual reference","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly palette with attendants before the Goddess, nuanced color differentiation, Phaṭkārī with bow, fine calligraphy of Śrī-bīja on a banner or ritual tablet"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cāgrato = च + अग्रतः. śrīvījenārcayet = श्रीबीजेन + अर्चयेत्. arcayedimāḥ = अर्चयेत् + इमाः. lokeśāyudhavarṇāstāḥ = लोकेशायुधवर्णाः + ताः. dhanurdharā = धनुः + धरा (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 308 (Śrī-vidyā style sequence; parivāra arcana)
FAQs
It prescribes a Devi-upasana step: worship of attendant Shaktis before the Goddess using the Śrī-bīja (śrīṃ), along with a specific dhyāna (visualization) of their weapon-associated colors; Phaṭkārī is identified as bow-bearing.
Beyond narrative Purana material, it records practical tantric liturgy—bīja-mantra usage, placement “in front of the Goddess,” iconographic identifiers (bow-bearing), and visualization rules tied to Lokapāla weapon symbolism—showing the text’s manual-like coverage of ritual technology.
Correct bīja-based worship and precise visualization are presented as ensuring ritual efficacy (siddhi) and purification, aligning the devotee’s mind with the Goddess’s retinue and protective cosmic order represented by the Lokapālas.