Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
Chapter 323 — The Six-Limbed Aghora Astras (षडङ्गान्यघोरस्त्राणि)
अघोरास्त्रमघोरन्तु द्वाविमौ मन्त्रराजकौ जपहोमार्चनाद्युद्धे शत्रुसैन्यं विमर्दयेत्
aghorāstramaghorantu dvāvimau mantrarājakau japahomārcanādyuddhe śatrusainyaṃ vimardayet
“อฆอราสตร” และ “อฆอระ”—มนตร์ทั้งสองนี้เป็นมนตร์ราชา ด้วยการประกอบญปะ โหมะ อรจนะ และวิธีปฏิบัติอื่น ๆ แม้ในสนามรบก็สามารถบดขยี้กองทัพศัตรูได้
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-śastra deployment: using Aghora and Aghorāstra through japa, homa, and arcana for protection and offensive success, including battlefield application against enemy forces.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Aghora and Aghorāstra as Mantra-Rāja for Battle Efficacy","lookup_keywords":["aghorastra","aghora","japa-homa-arcana","yuddha-mantra","shatru-sainya"],"quick_summary":"The verse names Aghora and Aghorāstra as sovereign mantras and states that their disciplined application—japa, homa, worship—can be extended even to warfare to overpower an enemy army."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Mantra as śastra: inner power (adhyatmika bala) is treated as operationally relevant to outer conflict; ritual and action are linked.
Application: For a ‘mantra-śastra’ approach, standardize a regimen: japa for empowerment, homa for sealing, arcana for alignment—then carry the mantra in battle as protective focus and command-intent.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Mantra-Śastra / Protective & Offensive Mantras in Warfare)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior-priest empowered by japa and homa invokes Aghorāstra; a fierce Shaiva energy-form radiates like a weapon, surging toward an enemy formation, while a sacred fire and worship implements indicate prior arcana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic battlefield with stylized armies, central warrior with vibhuti marks, a fierce luminous Aghora energy emanation sweeping across foes, bold reds and blacks, sacred fire motif at the edge as ritual source.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heroic figure with gold halo invoking Aghorāstra, gold-embossed flames and weapon-like aura, enemy army in miniature below, ornate jewelry and rich textiles, dramatic contrast.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, semi-instructional: top panel shows homa and arcana, bottom panel shows battlefield application with mantra-weapon aura; fine lines, clear staging, labeled ‘Aghora’ and ‘Aghorāstra’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battle scene with elephants and cavalry, a yogic-warrior at center chanting, translucent fiery aura shaped like a projectile moving toward enemy ranks, refined shading and intricate armor details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aghorāstramaghorantu = aghorāstram + aghoram + tu; dvāvimau = dvau + imau; japahomārcanādyuddhe = japa+homa+arcana+ādi+yuddhe (compound in locative).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhanurveda chapters on warfare and weapons (where mantra and astras are discussed); Agni Purana: mantra-tantra sections on astras and protective rites
FAQs
It teaches the prayoga (application) of two ‘mantra-kings’—Aghora and Aghorāstra—stating they can be deployed via japa, homa, and arcana, and also operationally in warfare to subdue an opposing force.
It exemplifies the text’s coverage beyond mythology into applied ritual-technology—mantra-śāstra linked to practical outcomes (protection, victory, enemy suppression), aligning with the Purana’s broad catalog of rites, disciplines, and tactical knowledge.
By prescribing mantra-use through orthodox ritual means (japa, homa, arcana), it frames power as arising from disciplined, consecrated practice—implying that efficacy and merit depend on correct rite, purity, and restraint rather than mere aggression.