Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 14
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
अस्त्रं शशी समाख्यातं शिवसंज्ञं शिखिध्यजः नमः स्वाहा तथा वौषत् हूं च फत्कक्रमेण तु
astraṃ śaśī samākhyātaṃ śivasaṃjñaṃ śikhidhyajaḥ namaḥ svāhā tathā vauṣat hūṃ ca phatkakrameṇa tu
อัสตระชื่อ “ศศี” (ศัสตรามนต์คุ้มครอง) ถูกประกาศดังนี้ โอ้ ศิขิธวชะ มันมีนามว่า “ศิวะ” และพึงใช้ตามลำดับมนต์ว่า “นะมะห์”, “สวาหา”, “เวาษัฏ”, “หูṃ”, และ “ผัฏ”
Lord Agni (narrating the astra-mantras)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Gives the prayoga (application) and mantra-ending sequence for a specific astra-mantra: the Śaśī (lunar) missile, named ‘Śiva’, to be used with the ordered exclamations namaḥ, svāhā, vauṣaṭ, hūṃ, phaṭ—useful for protection, sealing, and ritual ‘weaponization’ in nyāsa/homa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śaśī-astra (Śiva-sañjña) mantra-sequence: namaḥ–svāhā–vauṣaṭ–hūṃ–phaṭ","lookup_keywords":["śaśī-astra","astra-mantra","svāhā","vauṣaṭ","hūṃ phaṭ"],"quick_summary":"A lunar ‘missile’ astra is defined and its operational mantra-sequence is fixed. The ordered endings/exclamations indicate distinct ritual functions (salutation, offering, oblation call, forceful bīja, cutting/severing seal)."}
Weapon Type: Astra (divine missile) conceptualized as Śaśī (lunar)
Concept: Mantra functions as śakti-instrument: ordered phonetic components (svāhā/vauṣaṭ/hūṃ/phaṭ) encode offering, command, and protective severance.
Application: When performing astra-nyāsa or protective rites, keep the exact sequence of mantra-endings; use phaṭ as the final ‘cutting’ seal after hūṃ to conclude the deployment.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya / Mantra-shastra (Astra-mantra prayoga)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A crescent-moon ‘missile’ of light emanates from a sādhaka’s hand toward a protective boundary; the mantra-endings appear as sequential glowing syllables: namaḥ, svāhā, vauṣaṭ, hūṃ, phaṭ.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic protective rite, crescent lunar beam, stylized flame-lamps, bold script-like mantra words in sequence around the beam, strong reds/ochres, guardian mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf crescent missile and radiant aura, mantra words embossed in gold panels (namaḥ svāhā vauṣaṭ hūṃ phaṭ), Śiva presence implied by trident motif, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise instructional layout showing the five mantra-endings in order with arrows, practitioner gesture of astra-mudrā, clean composition, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant ritualist projecting a moonlit ray, calligraphic cartouches listing the sequence, architectural interior with lamps, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Hindol","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: फत्कक्रमेण→फट्+क्रमेण; (शिखिध्यजः read as शिखिध्वजः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (netra/astra discussions around 316.13–316.15); Agni Purana sections on homa-mantras using svāhā and vauṣaṭ
FAQs
It specifies the identification and practical mantra-sequence for deploying the Śaśī-astra (lunar missile), including the ordered use of ritual particles and bīja-syllables (namaḥ, svāhā, vauṣaṭ, hūṃ, phaṭ).
By cataloging operational details of astra-mantras—names, deity-associations (Śiva), and exact mantra components—it preserves a technical layer of Dhanurveda/Mantra-śāstra alongside the Purana’s broader teachings on ritual, polity, and sacred sciences.
Linking the astra to Śiva and prescribing orthodox mantra-forms frames weapon-use as a consecrated act; correct recitation is presented as ensuring efficacy while aligning the act with ritual purity and disciplined intention.