Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 323 — The Six-Limbed Aghora Astras (षडङ्गान्यघोरस्त्राणि)
विषग्रहपिशाचानां ग्रसनः सर्वकामकृत् प्रायश्चित्तमघौघार्तौ दौर्भाग्यार्तिविनाशनम्
viṣagrahapiśācānāṃ grasanaḥ sarvakāmakṛt prāyaścittamaghaughārtau daurbhāgyārtivināśanam
Ito’y “lumalamon” (nagpapawalang-bisa) sa lason, sa masasamang pagdaklot ng graha (planetary affliction), at sa mga piśāca; tinutupad nito ang lahat ng ninanais. Kapag dinadagsa ng baha ng kasalanan, ito’y nagiging prāyaścitta (pagtubos/sisi), at winawasak ang pighating dulot ng kamalasan.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Rakṣā and śānti applications: neutralizing viṣa (poison), graha-afflictions, piśāca disturbances; also used as prāyaścitta for heavy sin and for alleviating misfortune-related distress.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rakṣā-Phala: Viṣa-Graha-Piśāca Nāśa, Prāyaścitta, and Daurbhāgya-haraṇa","lookup_keywords":["viṣa-nāśa","graha","piśāca","prāyaścitta","daurbhāgya-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates protective fruits: antidotal effect against poison and spirit/planetary afflictions, wish-fulfillment, atonement for sin-burden, and removal of misfortune-induced suffering."}
Alamkara Type: Enumerative catalog (samāhāra/listing)
Concept: Prāyaścitta as a restorative discipline when overwhelmed by pāpa; misfortune and fear are met with structured rite, ethical correction, and reliance on Śiva’s protective order.
Application: Combine prāyaścitta elements (truthfulness, restraint, dāna, confession/resolve) with rakṣā-japa to address guilt, social rupture, and persistent fear of harm.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra and Protective Rites (Raksha, Shanti, Prayaschitta)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective rite scene: a person afflicted by poison and another troubled by graha/piśāca are sheltered within a ritual circle; the priest chants while dark entities dissolve; a symbolic ‘sin-flood’ recedes, replaced by auspicious signs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual circle with lamps, priest chanting, shadowy piśācas and graha-forms fading at the boundary, patient regaining color, stylized waves representing pāpa-oghā retreating, bold outlines and traditional motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-lit protective circle, central mantra scroll and lamps, afflicted devotee protected by Śiva’s unseen grace, demons rendered small and subdued, heavy gold ornamentation emphasizing auspicious reversal of daurbhāgya.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear narrative: left shows affliction (poison cup/serpent symbol; distressed sleeper), right shows śānti-japa and calm recovery, fine linework, gentle colors, minimal but precise ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed household scene with healer-priest, afflicted person, attendants, faint spectral figures dispersing, careful depiction of vessels and textiles, subtle symbolism of misfortune turning to prosperity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aghaughārtau = agha+ogha+ṛtau (vowel coalescence); daurbhāgyārtivināśanam = daurbhāgya+ārti+vināśanam; viṣagrahapiśācānām is a dvandva compound in genitive plural.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 323-324 (Rudra-śānti efficacy statements; rakṣā/prāyaścitta framing)
FAQs
It characterizes a protective mantra/rite as an apotropaic remedy: neutralizing poison, removing graha-type afflictions and piśāca disturbances, and functioning as a prāyaścitta during severe moral/ritual impurity.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs practical interventions—spirit-affliction remedies, poison-neutralization claims, and formal expiation—showing its broad scope across ritual technology, folk-demonology, and dharmic purification.
The verse frames the practice as karmic purification (prāyaścitta) capable of countering accumulated sin and the experiential suffering of misfortune, implying both inner moral cleansing and outward removal of afflictive forces.