Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 13
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
ऊहकन्तु शिखा ज्ञेया विश्वरूपसमन्विता त्रिशिखी चोर्ध्ववाहुक इति ख , छ च तन्मन्त्रमष्टमं ख्यातं नेत्रन्तु दशमं मतम्
ūhakantu śikhā jñeyā viśvarūpasamanvitā triśikhī cordhvavāhuka iti kha , cha ca tanmantramaṣṭamaṃ khyātaṃ netrantu daśamaṃ matam
ศิขา (ปอยผมยอดศีรษะในนยาสะ) พึงเข้าใจว่าเป็น “อูหกา” ประกอบด้วยวิศวรูป—เป็น “ตรีศิขี” (มีสามปอย) และ “อูรธววาหุก” (มีแขนยกขึ้น) ซึ่งชี้ด้วยพยางค์ kha และ cha นั่นแลเป็นมนต์ที่แปด ส่วนมนต์เนตร (คุ้มครองดวงตา) ถือเป็นบทที่สิบ
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Specifies nyāsa components and their mantra-identifiers: defines the śikhā-nyāsa as ‘Ūhakā’ with viśvarūpa qualities (triśikhī, ūrdhva-vāhuka), associates it with syllables kha and cha, identifies it as the eighth mantra; states the netra (protective eye) mantra as the tenth.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śikhā-nyāsa (Ūhakā) and Netra-mantra numbering","lookup_keywords":["śikhā-nyāsa","ūhakā","triśikhī","ūrdhva-vāhuka","netra-mantra"],"quick_summary":"The verse characterizes the śikhā installation as a universal-form power marked by specific bīja-syllables (kha, cha) and places it as the eighth in the sequence; it also fixes the netra-protection mantra as the tenth."}
Concept: Nyāsa is both sonic and imaginal: bīja-syllables and dhyāna-forms (viśvarūpa, triśikhī, ūrdhva-vāhuka) are installed to awaken protective and integrative awareness.
Application: In the prescribed nyāsa order, perform śikhā-nyāsa as the eighth with the kha/cha markers while visualizing the triśikhī raised-arm universal form; then apply the netra-mantra as the tenth for ocular/field protection.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra / Tantra (Nyasa–Mudra–Mantra-lakshana descriptions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka touches the back-crown (śikhā region) while visualizing a tri-tufted, arms-raised universal form; nearby, an eye-symbol indicates the netra mantra as a protective seal; bīja syllables ‘kha’ and ‘cha’ appear as glowing letters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized figure with highlighted śikhā area, glowing Grantha letters kha and cha, viśvarūpa silhouette with raised arms behind, large protective eye motif for netra, earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf aura around the śikhā and a prominent eye emblem, embossed bīja letters kha/cha, ornate borders, devotional iconography blended with ritual instruction.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of śikhā touch-point and netra gesture, labeled kha/cha bījas, soft gradients, minimal background, teacher demonstrating sequence numbers 8 and 10.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined practitioner performing śikhā-nyāsa, calligraphic panels with kha and cha, delicate eye emblem in margin, subdued palette, intimate ritual chamber."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऊहकन्तु→ऊहकम्+तु; चोर्ध्ववाहुक→च+ऊर्ध्ववाहुकः; तन्मन्त्रमष्टमं→तत्+मन्त्रम्+अष्टमम्; नेत्रन्तु→नेत्रम्+तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (nyāsa limbs: hṛdaya, śiras, śikhā, netra, astra); Agni Purana mantra-bīja discussions in the same khanda
FAQs
It enumerates and classifies nyāsa-related mantras, defining the Śikhā visualization/marker (with descriptors like triśikhī and ūrdhva-vāhuka) and identifying which items in the sequence are counted as the 8th mantra and the Netra as the 10th.
Beyond mythology, it preserves a technical ritual taxonomy—mapping bodily nyāsa locations and protective formulae (Śikhā/Netra) to specific mantra counts and phonemic markers (kha, cha), reflecting the text’s compendious coverage of mantra-śāstra and practical worship procedures.
Correct placement and sequencing of Śikhā and Netra mantras is traditionally held to seal (rakṣā) the practitioner’s body and senses, supporting ritual purity, concentration, and protection from obstacles during worship and mantra-japa.