Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
कुण्ड इति क वज्रतुण्दसमन्वित इति ट कुष्टाद्या व्याधयो ये तु नाशयेत्तान्न संशयः मध्यादिउत्तरान्तन्तु करालीबन्धनाज्जपेत्
kuṇḍa iti ka vajratuṇdasamanvita iti ṭa kuṣṭādyā vyādhayo ye tu nāśayettānna saṃśayaḥ madhyādiuttarāntantu karālībandhanājjapet
Bigkasin ang ‘kuṇḍa’ na may pantig na ‘ka’, at bigkasin ang ‘may tuka/pangil na tulad ng vajra’ na may pantig na ‘ṭa’. Sa pamamagitan nito, ang mga sakit na nagsisimula sa ketong at iba pa ay napupuksa—walang pag-aalinlangan. Isagawa ang japa mula sa gitna hanggang sa wakas ayon sa ‘Karālī-bandhana’ (pagkakatali/ayus ng mantra).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic vidyās)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-cikitsā for skin/major diseases (kuṣṭa etc.) using bīja/akṣara-linked recitation (‘ka’, ‘ṭa’) and a specified binding/arrangement (Karālī-bandhana) with a middle-to-end japa progression.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Karālī-bandhana Japa for Kuṣṭa-ādi Vyādhi-nāśa","lookup_keywords":["kushtha","mantra-chikitsa","karali-bandhana","japa-krama","ka-ta-bija"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a structured japa (middle-to-end sequence) with specific syllable-couplings and a ‘Karālī-bandhana’ arrangement, asserted to destroy kuṣṭha and related diseases."}
Concept: Mantra as therapeutic instrument: phoneme-power (akṣara-śakti) + ordered recitation (krama) + protective binding (bandhana) to counter disease.
Application: A procedural template for mantra-healing: define bīja/akṣara triggers, specify recitation order, and seal with a protective ‘bandhana’ to stabilize intent and practitioner focus.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Mantra-Chikitsa (Protective and curative mantra applications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A healer-sādhaka performs japa with a rosary, visualizing a fierce protective ‘Karālī’ binding around the patient; syllables ‘ka’ and ‘ṭa’ are shown as seed letters placed on a diagram from the middle to the end.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated mantra-healer beside a patient with skin lesions stylized, glowing akṣaras ‘क’ and ‘ट’ painted as luminous glyphs, a fierce Karālī aura forming a protective ring (bandhana), warm reds/ochres with bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Karālī protective halo in gold embossing behind the healer, patient seated respectfully, akṣara-glyphs in decorative cartouches, rich jewel tones and gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional illustration: mantra diagram with marked ‘middle’ and ‘end’ positions, arrows showing japa progression, healer performing nyāsa/bandhana gesture, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate clinic-like setting with a scholar-healer reciting from a folio, patient attended by aides, marginal calligraphy of ‘ka’ and ‘ṭa’, fine textiles and delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"healing","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पाठे वर्णनिर्देशः: ‘कुण्ड इति क’ तथा ‘…समन्वित इति ट’; तान्न = तान् + न; मध्यादिउत्तरान्तन्तु = मध्य-आदि-उत्तर-अन्तम् + तु; करालीबन्धनाज्जपेत् = कराली-बन्धनात् + जपेत् (त् + ज → ज्ज)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311.20 (jvara-kāsa vināśana via Vāruṇī-nyāsa); Agni Purana 311 (mantra-bandhana/nyāsa sequences)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-prayoga: joining specific syllables (ka, ṭa) to given mantra-terms and performing japa in a prescribed ‘bandhana’ (Karālī-bandhana) sequence to remove diseases such as kuṣṭa.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical healing technologies—here, a hybrid of Ayurvedic disease categories (kuṣṭa) and mantra-based therapeutic procedure (japa with bandhana).
The verse frames healing as a dharmic act achieved through disciplined japa and correct mantra-structure, implying purification and restoration of bodily order through sacred sound.