Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
प्रासादस्य पराख्यस्य स्मृतं रूपं गुहाष्टधा रिपुदुष्टादि वारयेदिति क , ट च प्रसादस्येति ख स्मृतिरूपमिति ख सदाशिवस्य शब्दस्य रूपस्याखिलसिद्धये
prāsādasya parākhyasya smṛtaṃ rūpaṃ guhāṣṭadhā ripuduṣṭādi vārayediti ka , ṭa ca prasādasyeti kha smṛtirūpamiti kha sadāśivasya śabdasya rūpasyākhilasiddhaye
Ang anyo ng tinatawag na ‘Parā’ na Prāsāda (pinakamataas na uri ng templo) ay inaalala bilang “walong-ulat na lihim” (guhya aṣṭadhā). Sinasabing nakapagtataboy ito ng mga kaaway, masasamang tao, at iba pa—ganito ang pagbasa sa Ka at Ṭa; sa pagbasa namang Kha ay may “ng prāsāda” at “ang anyong inaalala.” (Itinuturo ito) upang makamit ang ganap na tagumpay (siddhi) sa pamamagitan ng anyong-mantra ng salitang “Sadāśiva.”
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s technical instructions to Vasiṣṭha in the standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Guides selection/visualization of the Parā-prāsāda as an eightfold esoteric schema and links it to Sadāśiva-mantra for protection (enemy-warding) and siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Parā-prāsāda (eightfold guhya form) and Sadāśiva mantra-siddhi","lookup_keywords":["parā-prāsāda","guhyāṣṭadhā","ripudūṣṭa-vāraṇa","Sadāśiva-śabda","siddhi"],"quick_summary":"States that the superior temple-type has an eightfold secret form and is protective; success is attained through the mantra-form of the word ‘Sadāśiva’."}
Concept: Temple-form (prāsāda) as a mantra-body (śabda-rūpa) of Sadāśiva; outer structure mirrors inner siddhi-process and protection.
Application: In prāsāda planning or consecration, pair the eightfold conceptual layout with Sadāśiva-japa/nyāsa for śānti and ripu-nivāraṇa (warding hostile forces).
Khanda Section: Vastu-Shastra & Shaiva-Tantra (Prasada/Linga-Mantra Vidhi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Parā-prāsāda visualized as an eightfold secret diagram overlaying a temple, with the word ‘Sadāśiva’ radiating as mantra-light that forms a protective boundary against hostile figures outside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal temple-prāsāda with layered tiers, eightfold mandala overlay in ochres and reds, Sadāśiva mantra glyphs encircling, subdued demon/enemy silhouettes repelled at the perimeter, traditional floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gleaming prāsāda with gold leaf highlights, central liṅga implied, ‘Sadāśiva’ in stylized script as a radiant aureole, protective guardians at thresholds, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clean architectural rendering of prāsāda with annotated eightfold divisions, subtle mantra panel ‘Sadāśiva’, calm instructional palette, fine detailing of pillars and vimāna elements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, temple courtyard scene with scholars and priests, a geometric eightfold plan drawn on paper, calligraphic ‘Sadāśiva’ hovering, enemies shown retreating beyond a luminous boundary, intricate border work."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guhāṣṭadhā → guhā aṣṭadhā; ripuduṣṭādi → ripu duṣṭa ādi; vārayediti → vārayet iti; rūpasyākhilasiddhaye → rūpasya akhilasiddhaye
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (mantra-uddhāra context); Agni Purana sections on prāsāda-lakṣaṇa and liṅga-pratiṣṭhā (Vāstu/Śilpa portions)
FAQs
It encodes a Vāstu–Tantric teaching: the ‘Parā’ prāsāda is defined through an eightfold esoteric schema (guhāṣṭadhā) and linked to mantra-prayoga, especially the mantra-form of the word ‘Sadāśiva’, for protective and success-yielding results.
It exemplifies how the Agni Purana merges applied temple-architecture (prāsāda-lakṣaṇa) with ritual technology (mantra-rūpa and apotropaic protection), showing the text’s breadth across Vāstu, Tantra, and practical religious rites.
By grounding temple-form in an esoteric eightfold doctrine and consecrating it through ‘Sadāśiva’ mantra-form, the verse frames the prāsāda as a spiritually fortified space that repels harm and supports siddhi—ritual efficacy aligned with Śaiva sanctity.