Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
Adhyaya 314 — Tvaritājñāna
Immediate/Quick Knowledge) (Colophon/Transition
भूर्जे कूर्मं समालिख्य ताडनेन षड्ङ्गुलम् मुखपादचतुर्ष्केषु ततो मन्त्रं न्यसेद्द्विजः
bhūrje kūrmaṃ samālikhya tāḍanena ṣaḍṅgulam mukhapādacaturṣkeṣu tato mantraṃ nyaseddvijaḥ
Pagkaguhit ng isang pagong (kūrma) sa balat ng punong birch (bhūrja), at sa pamamagitan ng pagmarka/pagtapik upang masukat na anim na lapad ng daliri, ang dvija (dalawang ulit na isinilang) ay saka ilalagay (gagawin ang nyāsa ng) ang mantra sa apat na bahagi—sa ulo at sa apat na paa.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Yantra-lekhana and nyāsa: drawing a kūrma diagram on bhūrja-patra with specified measure (ṣaḍ-aṅgula) and installing mantra on head/feet quadrants for protection and operative rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhūrja-patra kūrma-yantra: measurement and nyāsa on head/feet","lookup_keywords":["bhurja-patra","kurma-yantra","sad-angula","nyasa","raksha"],"quick_summary":"Draw a tortoise yantra on birch-bark to a six-finger measure, then perform mantra-nyāsa on the fourfold parts (head and feet), establishing the diagram as a charged protective/operative support."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy is stabilized through ādhāra (support): correct medium, measure, and nyāsa mapping of sound onto form.
Application: Follow exact proportions and placement when preparing yantras; treat measurement and nyāsa as integral, not optional, to ritual function.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-mantra (Yantra, Nyasa, protective rites)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija-sādhaka draws a tortoise yantra on birch-bark, marking a six-finger breadth with a stylus; he then touches the head and four feet positions performing nyāsa, with small syllables indicated at each limb.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines: seated brāhmaṇa drawing a stylized tortoise on pale bhūrja leaf, measuring with fingers, ritual water pot and lamp nearby, hands touching head/feet points for nyāsa, sacred geometry emphasized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central birch-bark tortoise yantra on a pedestal, sādhaka performing nyāsa mudrā, gold leaf highlights on the yantra outline and ritual implements, rich textile background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional close-up: tortoise diagram with labeled mukha and pāda quadrants, a hand measuring ṣaḍ-aṅgula, another hand placing mantra via nyāsa; clean composition for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like scene: scholar-priest at low desk drawing tortoise on birch-bark, measuring with fingers, assistants holding ink and stylus, fine calligraphy-like syllables near head and feet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न्यसेद्द्विजः → न्यसेत् द्विजः (त् + द् → द्द्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 314.3 (bīja placement on feet/face and writing vidyā in garbha); Agni Purana 314.4 (wrapping with mālā-mantras; placement on iṣṭakā; kūrma-pṛṣṭha arrangement)
FAQs
It teaches a practical ritual method: draw a kūrma-yantra on birch-bark with a specified six-aṅgula measure and then perform mantra-nyāsa on its key parts (head and feet/fourfold points).
It preserves precise, manual-level liturgical technology—materials (bhūrja), measurements (aṅgula), diagrammatic symbols (kūrma), and operative ritual steps (nyāsa)—showing the text’s coverage beyond mythology into applied ritual science.
By correctly installing the mantra through nyāsa on a consecrated diagram, the practitioner is understood to invoke protective and stabilizing sacred power, supporting purification and ritual efficacy.