Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 13
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
नामाद्यं सवराकं स्याद्देवाच्छक्रसमन्वितम् शिरो हतं तत्पुरुषेण ओमाद्यञ्च नमो ऽन्तकम्
nāmādyaṃ savarākaṃ syāddevācchakrasamanvitam śiro hataṃ tatpuruṣeṇa omādyañca namo 'ntakam
Ang mantra ay dapat magsimula sa pantig na “na” kasama ang patinig nito (svara). Ito’y dapat iugnay sa salitang “deva” at pagyamanin ng sangkap na “śakra” (ayon sa itinakda). Ang bahaging “ulo” (śiras) ay dapat ilagay/itakda sa pamamagitan ng Tatpuruṣa-mantra; at magsimula sa “Oṃ” at magwakas sa “namaḥ”.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual/mantra procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Mantra-śodhana/formation rules for a Tatpuruṣa-linked Śiva/Puruṣa mantra: specifying initial syllable, additions (deva, śakra-element), and framing with Oṃ…namaḥ for nyāsa and japa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mantra-śodhana: na-ādi, deva-yukta, śakra-samanvita; Oṃ-ādi namaḥ-antaka (Tatpuruṣa-śiras)","lookup_keywords":["mantra-śodhana","Tatpuruṣa","śiras-nyāsa","Oṃ-ādi namaḥ","na-ādi"],"quick_summary":"Form the mantra with a prescribed na-initial syllable and adjuncts (deva and śakra-element), apply the Tatpuruṣa ‘head’ placement in nyāsa, and frame the mantra from Oṃ to namaḥ."}
Concept: Śabda (mantra) is effective when correctly constituted (varṇa/svara order) and ritually installed (nyāsa) with proper framing (praṇava and namaḥ).
Application: Use the rule-set as a checklist before japa/nyāsa: correct seed/initial, prescribed epithets, correct limb-placement (śiras), and proper opening/closing.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Nyāsa and Mantra-śodhana for Purusha/Śiva-mantras)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performing śiras-nyāsa while reciting a mantra framed by Oṃ and namaḥ; syllables (na, deva, śakra-element) shown as written phonetic components around the head region.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: yogic figure seated, right hand touching head for śiras-nyāsa, stylized Sanskrit syllables floating (Oṃ, na, deva, namaḥ), temple lamp glow, flat earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: seated sādhaka with ornate aureole, gold-highlighted Oṃ above, ‘namaḥ’ below, decorative script panels showing na-ādi and deva/śakra components, rich textile details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic instructional plate—human outline with head labeled śiras, arrows indicating nyāsa placement, mantra components in neat Devanāgarī, soft colors and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-priest in a pavilion writing mantra components on a folio, then touching the head in nyāsa; delicate calligraphy borders, subdued jewel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याद्देवाच्छक्रसमन्वितम् = स्यात् देवात् शक्रसमन्वितम्; ओमाद्यञ्च = ओम्-आद्यम् च; नमो ऽन्तकम् = नमः अन्तकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317 (mantra-vidhi; nyāsa and mantra-śodhana sequence)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule for constructing/applying a mantra: how it begins (with ‘na’ and Oṃ), how it ends (with namaḥ), and how the ‘śiras’ (head) nyāsa is to be applied using the Tatpuruṣa-mantra.
Beyond myths and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves precise tantric-ritual mechanics—mantra formation, nyāsa placement, and prescribed syllabic combinations—showing its scope as a practical ritual handbook.
Correct mantra structure and nyāsa are taught as safeguards for efficacy and purity: aligning sound, invocation (Oṃ…namaḥ), and bodily placement (śiras with Tatpuruṣa) to support focused worship and purification.