Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
भेदने छेदने चैव मारणेषु शिवो भवेत् तारकं नेत्रमुद्दिष्टं शान्तिपुष्टौ नियोजयेत्
bhedane chedane caiva māraṇeṣu śivo bhavet tārakaṃ netramuddiṣṭaṃ śāntipuṣṭau niyojayet
Sa mga gawaing paghihiwalay, pagputol, at maging sa mga ritong nakamamatay, dapat gamitin ang (anyo ni) Śiva. Itinakda ang ‘Tāraka Netra’, ang “mata” ng mantra; dapat itong iukol sa pagpapayapa at sa pagpapalago at pag-alaga ng kasaganaan.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Selection and deployment of deity-form (Śiva) and a specific mantric ‘Netra’ (Tāraka-netra) across rite-types: bhedana/chedana/māraṇa, and also śānti–puṣṭi applications.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śiva-prayoga & Tāraka-netra (Śānti–Puṣṭi / Abhichāra Interface)","lookup_keywords":["taraka-netra","shiva-prayoga","bhedana","chedana","shanti-pushti"],"quick_summary":"Defines which divine form and ‘netra’ formula to employ across both coercive and benefic rites: Śiva for forceful operations; Tāraka-netra specifically for pacification and nourishment/prosperity."}
Concept: Ritual taxonomy: matching deity-form and mantra-module (‘netra’) to desired karmic operation (destructive vs pacificatory/prosperity).
Application: Use as a decision-rule in ritual design: choose Śiva-form for bhedana/chedana/māraṇa; deploy Tāraka-netra specifically when the goal is śānti or puṣṭi.
Khanda Section: Mantra-tantra & Yantra-netra Prayoga (Protective/operative rites; Shanti–Pushti applications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual manual-like scene showing two pathways: fierce Śiva invoked for splitting/cutting/lethal rites, and a luminous ‘Tāraka Netra’ symbol applied for śānti and puṣṭi.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split-panel composition: left—ugra Śiva with trident and fiery aura over bhedana/chedana symbols; right—calm Śiva with a radiant eye-emblem labeled Tāraka-netra, lotus and conch motifs for śānti–puṣṭi, flat iconic forms","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Śiva with ornate halo and gold embossing, a prominent stylized eye (netra) motif above the palm, surrounding medallions reading bhedana/chedana/māraṇa and śānti/puṣṭi, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: diagrammatic ‘netra’ emblem, arrows to ‘śānti’ and ‘puṣṭi’, small vignette of Śiva-form for forceful rites, fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a courtly scholar-sādhaka presenting a folio with an eye-diagram to a patron; in the margin, a small depiction of Śiva in fierce and calm aspects, meticulous detailing and restrained palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; नेत्रमुद्दिष्टं = नेत्रम् + उद्दिष्टम्; शान्तिपुष्टौ = शान्ति + पुष्टौ (द्वन्द्व, locative dual)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (netra/yantra/mantra operational sections)
FAQs
It assigns specific ritual “applications” (viniyoga): Śiva-form usage in bhedana/chedana/māraṇa operations, and the Tāraka Netra-mantra for śānti (pacification) and puṣṭi (prosperity/nourishment) rites.
It exemplifies the text’s catalog-like coverage of operative ritual technologies—naming specialized mantra-units (Netra) and mapping them to practical outcomes (destructive vs. benefic rites), alongside many other disciplines the Agni Purana compiles.
It frames mantra-use as responsibility-bound: destructive applications are linked with a specific deity-form (Śiva), while the same system also prescribes pacifying and prosperity-enhancing deployments (śānti–puṣṭi), implying differentiated intent and corresponding karmic weight.