Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 31
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
वृद्धकाख्यान् ग्रहांश्चोग्रांस् तथा मातृग्रहानपि बालस्य विष्णोश् चरितं हन्तु बालग्रहानिमान्
vṛddhakākhyān grahāṃścogrāṃs tathā mātṛgrahānapi bālasya viṣṇoś caritaṃ hantu bālagrahānimān
Nawa’y ang mga banal na gawa (carita) ni Viṣṇu, bilang tagapagtanggol ng bata, ay puksain ang mga espiritung dumudukot ng mga bata—yaong tinatawag na Vṛddhakā, ang mababangis na graha, at pati ang mga Mātṛ‑graha.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in protective rites)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Bāla-rakṣā: recite Viṣṇu-carita as a protective formula to neutralize Vṛddhakā, Ugra-grahas, and Mātṛ-grahas affecting children.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Bāla-rakṣā-mantra: ‘bālasya Viṣṇoś caritam…’","lookup_keywords":["bāla-rakṣā","Mātṛ-graha","Vṛddhakā graha","Viṣṇu-carita","child-seizing spirits"],"quick_summary":"Invokes Viṣṇu’s protective exploits specifically as a child-guardian to destroy/drive away pediatric graha-afflictions, including Mātṛ-grahas and fierce entities."}
Concept: Smaraṇa/recitation of Viṣṇu-līlā as protective power (carita as rakṣā).
Application: Use narrative-theology (carita) as a functional mantra in crisis rites, especially for children.
Khanda Section: Raksha-Mantra & Graha-Shanti (Bala-Raksha / Protective rites against child-seizing spirits)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A child-protection rite where Viṣṇu’s deeds are recited as a shield; fierce grahas (Vṛddhakā, Ugra, Mātṛ-grahas) are shown retreating from the child.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu as protector standing behind a child with conch and discus, priest chanting, Mātṛ-grahas as stylized dark feminine silhouettes dissolving, warm lamp glow, sacred geometry around cradle.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu in regal form with gold halo, child at his feet, priest reciting from palm-leaf, grahas pushed to border, heavy gold work, auspicious ornaments, serene protection theme.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional bāla-rakṣā: cradle, rakṣā-thread, turmeric-kumkum marks, Viṣṇu icon on altar, labeled grahas fading, delicate shading and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with mother and child, learned priest reciting, a faint vision of Viṣṇu behind, graha-figures at window fleeing, fine textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: grahāṃś ca ugrān = grahān + ca + ugrān (anusvāra before ca in saṃhitā); mātṛgrahānapi = mātṛ-grahān + api; viṣṇoś caritam = viṣṇoḥ + caritam; bālagrahānimān = bāla-grahān + imān.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (bāla-graha sections; Nṛsiṃha protective passages following)
FAQs
It gives an apotropaic (protective) formula: recitation/invocation of Viṣṇu’s sacred exploits is prescribed as a means to ward off and destroy bāla-grahas, including Vṛddhakā-type and Mātṛ-type afflictors.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical graha-śānti and child-protection lore (often linked to pediatric afflictions and spirit-caused disease models), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of ritual therapeutics and protective religion.
It frames devotion to Viṣṇu (through his carita) as a purifying, protective power that removes harmful influences and safeguards a vulnerable child, aligning religious merit with immediate household well-being.