Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 17
Vidyā-viśodhana-vidhāna
Procedure for Purifying Mantra-Vidyā
अस्त्रेण पाशशैथिल्यं मलशक्तिं तिरोहितां छेदनं मर्दनं तेषां वर्तुलीकरणं तथा
astreṇa pāśaśaithilyaṃ malaśaktiṃ tirohitāṃ chedanaṃ mardanaṃ teṣāṃ vartulīkaraṇaṃ tathā
ด้วยอัสตระ (มนตราอาวุธ) ทำให้บ่วงคลายตัว ทำให้พลังมลทินของศัตรูไร้ฤทธิ์และถูกปกปิด และยังทำการตัด บดขยี้ และทำให้เวียนวนเป็นวงจนสับสนด้วย.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Astravidyā effects-list: describes operational outcomes of an astra—loosening bonds, neutralizing enemy power, and producing cutting/crushing/whirling disorientation—useful for training, classification, and ritualized weapon deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Astra-Kārya: Bond-Loosening, Neutralization, Cutting, Crushing, Whirling","lookup_keywords":["astra","pāśa-śaithilya","chedana","mardana","vartuḷīkaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates the functional effects attributed to an astra: it loosens bindings, suppresses hostile power, and causes cutting, crushing, and circular disorientation."}
Weapon Type: Astra (missile/weapon empowered by mantra; could be arrow-based or invoked projectile)
Concept: Applied knowledge of weapon-effects (kārya) and controlled force: power is framed as a technical capability with enumerated outcomes.
Application: Use as a taxonomy for astra outcomes when teaching or documenting martial systems; integrate with ethical constraints from dharma texts for legitimate use.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Astravidya / Weapon-mantras and missile-techniques)
Primary Rasa: veera
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior-sage releases a mantra-empowered missile; visible effects show ropes/bonds loosening, a dark hostile aura being suppressed, and the target forces being cut, crushed, and spun into disorientation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic archer with stylized bow, luminous astra streak, enemy bonds depicted as serpentine ropes unraveling, swirling circular motif around foes, bold flat colors and temple aesthetics.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, warrior with gold-embossed armor accents, astra as a gold flame-arrow, broken fetters in gold leaf, circular whirl motif around enemy, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic battlefield: panels labeling effects—pāśa-śaithilya, chedana, mardana, vartuḷīkaraṇa—clean lines and controlled palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dynamic battle vignette, fine depiction of arrow flight, subtle supernatural aura around projectile, enemies shown stumbling in a circular swirl, detailed landscape and costumes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पाशशैथिल्यं → पाश-शैथिल्यम्; वर्तुलीकरणं → वर्तुली-करणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 86 (Dhanurveda/Astravidyā subsection)
FAQs
It lists practical effects attributed to an astra in Astravidyā: releasing bindings (pāśa-śaithilya), suppressing hostile/defiling power (mala-śakti-tirohita), and offensive actions like cutting (chedana), crushing (mardana), and inducing circular whirling/disorientation (vartulī-karaṇa).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s catalog-style treatment of specialized disciplines by summarizing operational outcomes of astras—bridging mantra-technology, battlefield tactics, and protective measures within its Dhanurveda/Astravidyā sections.
By framing weapon-use as regulated vidyā (knowledge) with defined functions, the text implies disciplined, dharma-aligned application—emphasizing protection, removal of restraints, and controlled neutralization of harmful forces rather than uncontrolled violence.