Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 87
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
रात्रिसूक्तं जपन्न्रात्री रात्रिं क्षेमी जयेन्नरः कल्पयन्तीति च जपन्नित्यं कृत्त्वारिनाशनं
rātrisūktaṃ japannrātrī rātriṃ kṣemī jayennaraḥ kalpayantīti ca japannityaṃ kṛttvārināśanaṃ
ผู้ใดสวด “ราตรีสูคตะ” ในยามค่ำคืน คืนแล้วคืนเล่า ย่อมมีความเกษมและมีชัย. และเมื่อสวดมนต์ที่ขึ้นต้นว่า “กัลปะยันตี…” เป็นนิตย์ ย่อมบรรลุการทำลายศัตรู
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Protective nightly japa of Rātri-sūkta for safety and victory; daily recitation of ‘kalpayantī…’ for enemy-destruction (rakṣā and abhichāra-adjacent protective intent).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rakṣā-japa: Rātri-sūkta and ‘Kalpayantī…’ for Kṣema, Jaya, Ari-nāśana","lookup_keywords":["rātri-sūkta","rakṣā-mantra","kṣema","jaya","ari-nāśana"],"quick_summary":"Nightly recitation of the Rātri hymn is prescribed for security and victory; a daily japa of the ‘kalpayantī…’ mantra is stated to effect the destruction of enemies."}
Concept: Regularity (nityam) and correct timing (night) are essential conditions for mantra efficacy; protection and victory are framed as outcomes of disciplined recitation.
Application: Adopt a nightly protective recitation routine for personal security; employ daily japa as a deterrent/protective measure against hostile forces.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-japa and Protective Hymns (Raksha-mantra)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior-householder performs night japa before a lamp, reciting the Rātri-sūkta; in a second scene he recites ‘kalpayantī…’ at dawn, while shadowy hostile figures dissolve, symbolizing enemy-destruction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, night shrine with oil lamp, devotee chanting with mālā, personified Rātri as dark-blue goddess with starry veil, enemies shown as fading silhouettes, bold outlines and traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotee before a small altar, Rātri-devī with gold halo and star motifs, gold leaf on lamp flame and ornaments, side panel showing victory banner and subdued foes","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear two-panel instructional composition: (1) night japa of Rātri-sūkta, (2) daily ‘kalpayantī…’ recitation; precise ritual items (mālā, lamp, āsana), soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal interior with lamp-lit recitation, detailed textiles and architecture, allegorical enemies retreating in the courtyard, delicate starry sky, ornate border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: japannrātrī = japan + rātrī; jayennaraḥ = jayet + naraḥ; kalpayantīti = kalpayantī + iti.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (rakṣā-mantra and japa-vidhi cluster)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical rakṣā-vidhi: nightly japa of the Vedic Rātri-sūkta for protection and victory, plus daily japa of a mantra identified by its incipit “kalpayantī…”, aimed at arināśana (neutralizing enemies).
Alongside theology and myths, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs applied disciplines—here, mantra-śāstra and protective ritual technology—giving concise, use-oriented instructions (when to recite, what outcome is promised).
Regular japa is presented as a dhārmic means of securing kṣema (well-being) and jaya (success), implying purification and divine protection through disciplined remembrance and Vedic hymn-recitation.