Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
Adhyaya 314 — Tvaritājñāna
Immediate/Quick Knowledge) (Colophon/Transition
शिरः सर्पस्य संक्षिप्तं हृहेषूच्चाटनं भवेत् करवीरशिफा पीता ससिद्धार्था च मरणे
śiraḥ sarpasya saṃkṣiptaṃ hṛheṣūccāṭanaṃ bhavet karavīraśiphā pītā sasiddhārthā ca maraṇe
Kapag ang ulo ng ahas ay pinisil o tinalian nang mahigpit, sinasabing nagbubunga ito ng uccāṭana (ritwal ng pagpapaalis/pagtaboy) sa mga bahay. Ang dilaw na usbong ng bulaklak na karavīra, kasama ang puting buto ng mustasa (siddhārtha), ay itinakda para sa māraṇa (nakamamatay na ritwal).
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Abhicāra operations: uccāṭana (banishing) and māraṇa (lethal rite) using animal parts and plant/seed substances as ritual supports.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Uccāṭana with snake-head binding; Māraṇa with yellow karavīra bud and siddhārtha","lookup_keywords":["uccatana","marana","sarpa-shiras","karavira","siddhartha"],"quick_summary":"Binding/compressing a snake’s head is stated to effect uccāṭana in a house; yellow karavīra bud combined with siddhārtha (mustard) is prescribed for māraṇa rites."}
Concept: Instrumental ritualism (prayoga) where substances (dravya) are treated as carriers of intent (saṅkalpa) for coercive outcomes.
Application: Catalogs materials and their intended ritual effect (uccāṭana/māraṇa) for practitioners of mantra–tantra prayoga.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Mantra–Tantra remedies / Uccāṭana-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Settlement/House
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual practitioner in a dim house binds/compresses a snake’s head as a banishing act; nearby are a yellow oleander bud and mustard seeds arranged for a lethal rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nocturnal interior with oil lamp glow, practitioner holding a bound snake-head, ritual tray with yellow karavīra bud and mustard seeds, stylized flora, strong outlines, sacred-ominous mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central figure with ritual implements, ornate tray with karavīra bud and mustard, gold highlights on vessels and borders, dramatic but iconic composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of materials: snake-head binding, labeled-looking arrangement of karavīra bud and siddhārtha, fine linework, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic room, practitioner performing binding, botanical accuracy for oleander bud, tiny mustard seeds, lamp-lit chiaroscuro, meticulous textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हृहेषूच्चाटनं = गृहेषु उच्चाटनम् (IAST hṛheṣu likely for gṛheṣu); करवीरशिफा = करवीर-शिफा; ससिद्धार्था = स-सिद्धार्था
Related Themes: Agni Purana 314 (Agneya-vidyā prayogas: uccāṭana/māraṇa)
FAQs
It gives a Mantra–Tantra style prescription: (1) a snake-head compression/binding is stated as an uccāṭana (banishing) measure for homes, and (2) yellow karavīra bud with siddhārtha (white mustard) is indicated for māraṇa (lethal rite).
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs pragmatic ritual-technical recipes—listing specific materials (snake-part, karavīra, mustard) and their intended ritual effects—showing its wide coverage of applied rites and folk-tantric procedures.
The verse belongs to destructive/repulsive ritual technology (uccāṭana and māraṇa), traditionally regarded as powerful and ethically perilous; its karmic weight depends on intention and use, and later dharma traditions often caution against harmful application except under strict necessity.