Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 25
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
अस्त्रमादाय दध्याच्च पदं द्व्यधिकविंशतिं लोकानाञ्च कलानाञ्च षष्टिं गुणचतुष्टयं
astramādāya dadhyācca padaṃ dvyadhikaviṃśatiṃ lokānāñca kalānāñca ṣaṣṭiṃ guṇacatuṣṭayaṃ
เมื่อถืออัสตระ (ศาสตรศักดิ์สิทธิ์) พึงเพ่งพิจารณาปทะเป็นจำนวนยี่สิบสอง; เพ่งโลกและกะลาเป็นจำนวนหกสิบ; และระลึกถึงคุณะสี่ประการด้วย
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s dominant dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Agneya-astra-vidyā practice: ritualized weapon-handling with meditative enumeration (pada count, loka/kalā count, guṇa-quartet) to empower/align the astra with cosmic correspondences before deployment or protective rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-dhyāna: 22-pada, 60 loka-kalā, and fourfold guṇa contemplation","lookup_keywords":["agneya-astra","astra-dhyāna","pada 22","kalā 60","guṇa-catuṣṭaya"],"quick_summary":"The practitioner takes up the sacred weapon and performs structured contemplation: a 22-fold ‘pada’ schema, a 60-fold worlds-and-kalās schema, and a fourfold guṇa set—serving as a mantra-mental framework for astra activation."}
Weapon Type: Astra (Agneya-astra context; weapon unspecified—could be bow-launched missile or mantra-astra)
Concept: Astra is governed by inner order: disciplined cognition (dhyāna) and cosmic correspondences restrain and empower force.
Application: Before martial deployment (or protective rite), perform the enumerative contemplations to ensure controlled, dharmic, and effective astra-prayoga.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Agneya-astra-vidya (Weapon-science and missile-mantras)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior-sādhaka lifts a consecrated weapon near a fire altar; above him float diagrammatic counts: a 22-pada grid, a 60-bead wheel labeled loka/kalā, and four guṇa emblems, indicating meditative activation of the Agneya astra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, heroic sādhaka with bow/weapon beside stylized homa fire, glowing geometric yantra-like 22-pada grid, circular 60-kalā wheel, four guṇa symbols, bold flat colors, ornate borders, dramatic yet controlled posture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central warrior holding sacred weapon with gold-foiled flames (Agni), gold haloed numeric yantras (22 grid, 60 wheel), four guṇa medallions, rich reds and greens, heavy gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical-instructional scene: weapon held in correct stance, side panels showing 22-pada chart and 60 loka/kalā wheel, four guṇa icons with labels, soft shading, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, armored warrior-sage in a pavilion with small fire brazier, hovering manuscript-like diagrams of 22 and 60, delicate gold and lapis, fine detailing of weapon and contemplative expression."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: astramādāya → astram + ā-dāya; dadhyācca → dadhyāt + ca; lokānāñca → lokānām + ca; kalānāñca → kalānām + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83 (Agneya-astra-vidyā cluster)
FAQs
It prescribes a Dhanurveda-style contemplative procedure: while assuming an astra, the practitioner visualizes specific canonical enumerations—pada (22), loka/kalā (60), and a fourfold guṇa-set—used to ‘map’ the weapon to the cosmos for effective mantra-empowerment.
The verse blends weapon-science (astra practice) with cosmological taxonomy (pada, loka, kalā, guṇa), showing how the Agni Purana integrates ritual-technical instruction with numerical and metaphysical classification across disciplines.
By aligning the astra with ordered cosmic principles through meditation, the act is framed as disciplined, dharmic use of power—purifying intention, reducing reckless violence, and making the practice a regulated spiritual-ritual operation rather than mere force.