Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
नमो ऽन्तः स्याच्चतुर्वर्णो विश्वरूपञ्च कारणम् सूर्यमात्राहतं ब्रह्मण्यङ्गानीह तु पूर्ववत्
namo 'ntaḥ syāccaturvarṇo viśvarūpañca kāraṇam sūryamātrāhataṃ brahmaṇyaṅgānīha tu pūrvavat
Ang mantra ay dapat magwakas sa “namaḥ”. Ito’y may apat na yunit ng pantig, may anyong pangkalahatan, at siyang simulain ng sanhi (kāraṇa). Kapag tinatakan ng Sūrya-mātrā (sukat na solar), dito ay isagawa ang nyāsa: ilagak ang mga sangkap/“mga bahagi” ni Brahman gaya ng naunang itinakda.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Constructing a four-mātrā/akṣara mantra ending in namaḥ, then performing brahmāṅga-nyāsa (limb-installation) under the qualifier of sūrya-mātrā for empowerment and protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Caturvarṇa-mantra ending in Namaḥ and Brahmāṅga-nyāsa with Sūrya-mātrā","lookup_keywords":["namaḥ","caturvarṇa","viśvarūpa","kāraṇa","brahmāṅga-nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"The mantra is defined as fourfold in syllabic measure, universal and causal, ending with namaḥ; empowered by sūrya-mātrā, it is applied through brahman-limb nyāsa as earlier taught."}
Concept: Kāraṇa-bhāva of mantra: the mantra is treated as causal seed of viśvarūpa, stabilized by namaḥ (surrender) and energized by solar measure (sūrya-mātrā).
Application: End the mantra with namaḥ to seal humility/śaraṇāgati; perform aṅga-nyāsa consistently ‘as previously’ to maintain ritual continuity and efficacy.
Khanda Section: Mantra-nyasa and Brahmanga-nyasa (Tantric ritual preliminaries)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram-like scene: the mantra ending ‘namaḥ’ written, four syllabic units marked, rays of the sun indicating sūrya-mātrā, and a practitioner touching limbs in sequence for brahmāṅga-nyāsa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with right hand performing aṅga-nyāsa touches (head, heart, etc.), sun-disc above emitting measured rays, stylized Sanskrit ‘namaḥ’ at the end of a mantra band, temple interior setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold sun halo with radiating lines marking mātrā, priest adorned, embossed mantra strip ending in ‘namaḥ’, rich ornamentation, devotional yet instructional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional panels: four akṣara blocks, ‘namaḥ’ seal, limb-touch sequence shown with subtle arrows, soft pastel palette and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest in a study with a manuscript showing four marked syllables and ‘namaḥ’, sun motif in the margin, attendant holding a ritual tray, precise calligraphy aesthetics"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Suryakant (or a bright morning raga such as Lalit)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नमो ऽन्तः = नमः + अन्तः; स्याच् = स्यात् + (च); विश्वरूपञ्च = विश्वरूपम् + च; ब्रह्मण्यङ्गानि = ब्रह्मणि + अङ्गानि; सूर्यमात्राहतम् = सूर्य + मात्रा + आहतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317.2; Agni Purana 317.4; Agni Purana brahmāṅga-nyāsa ‘pūrvavat’ instructions in the same khanda
FAQs
It specifies mantra-structure (ending in “namaḥ”, four phonemic units) and instructs performing Brahman-related aṅga-nyāsa, with a technical qualifier called “sūrya-mātrā”, following an earlier stated method.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical ritual technology—precise mantra morphology, metrical/phonemic measures (mātrā), and standardized nyāsa steps—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a manual of applied liturgy and mantra-śāstra.
Correct mantra-ending and limb-nyāsa are taught as safeguards for ritual correctness, aiming at purification, focused deity-identification, and the successful activation (siddhi) of the intended worship practice.