Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 49
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
नन्दको ऽस्त्राणि रक्षन्तु धर्मश् च व्यवसायकः चित्रगुप्तश् च दण्डश् च पिङ्गलो मृत्युकालकौ
nandako 'strāṇi rakṣantu dharmaś ca vyavasāyakaḥ citraguptaś ca daṇḍaś ca piṅgalo mṛtyukālakau
Nawa’y ingatan ni Nandaka ang magtanggol (sa akin) ukol sa mga sandata; at nawa’y si Dharma, tagapagtaguyod ng matuwid na asal, ang mag-ingat sa aking pasya at pagsisikap. Nawa’y si Citragupta at si Daṇḍa (ang isinakatawang Pamalo ng parusa) ang magbantay (sa akin), at nawa’y si Piṅgala at si Mṛtyu-Kāla (Kamatayan-at-Panahon) ay magbantay rin (sa akin).
Lord Agni (narrating a protective formula within the Agni Purana’s rakṣā material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Protective recitation invoking personified ethical and judicial forces (Dharma, Citragupta, Daṇḍa) alongside weapon-protection (Nandaka) to safeguard action, accountability, and life-span.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rakṣā through Nandaka and Dharma-nyāya-devatās (Citragupta, Daṇḍa, Piṅgala, Mṛtyu-Kāla)","lookup_keywords":["Nandaka","Citragupta","Daṇḍa","Mṛtyu-Kāla","rakṣā-stotra"],"quick_summary":"A protective invocation that covers both external danger (weapons) and moral-judicial dimensions (Dharma, record-keeper Citragupta, punishment Daṇḍa, Death-Time). The takeaway is holistic protection: conduct, resolve, and fate are placed under sacred guardianship."}
Weapon Type: Sword (Nandaka); Daṇḍa (rod/staff)
Concept: Accountability and right conduct are protective: Dharma safeguards enterprise; cosmic justice (Citragupta/Daṇḍa) and mortality (Mṛtyu-Kāla) are acknowledged and ritually harmonized.
Application: Before major undertakings, recite while forming a dhārmic saṅkalpa; reinforces ethical resolve and reduces fear of adverse outcomes.
Khanda Section: Raksha-Mantra & Devata-Nama (Protective Invocations / Apotropaic Stotras)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective circle where Nandaka (radiant sword emblem) stands guard, while Dharma blesses the devotee; Citragupta writes in a ledger; Daṇḍa as a stern staff-bearing figure; Mṛtyu-Kāla and Piṅgala stationed as boundary guardians.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central devotee with protective sword-emblem (Nandaka) above, Dharma as luminous figure, Citragupta seated with palm-leaf ledger, Daṇḍa and Mṛtyu-Kāla as dark boundary guardians, strong outlines and ritual symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed Nandaka sword icon, Dharma with halo, Citragupta with ornate manuscript, Daṇḍa staff highlighted in gold, dramatic contrast for Mṛtyu-Kāla, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: each guardian labeled, Citragupta writing, Daṇḍa upright, Nandaka as shining sword, calm central figure; soft shading and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-of-justice aesthetic: Citragupta as meticulous scribe, staff-bearing Daṇḍa, allegorical Time-Death figure at margin, central petitioner protected by a gleaming sword emblem; fine detailing and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नन्दकोऽस्त्राणि = नन्दकः + अस्त्राणि; धर्मश् च = धर्मः + च (visarga before c → ś); चित्रगुप्तश् च = चित्रगुप्तः + च; दण्डश् च = दण्डः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (rakṣā-mantra sequence); Agni Purana dharma/vrata materials where Dharma and punishment (daṇḍa) are discussed
FAQs
This verse functions as a rakṣā-invocation: it assigns specific protectors to specific threat-domains—especially astrāṇi (weapons/missiles)—by invoking divine and juridico-cosmic powers (Dharma, Daṇḍa, Citragupta, Kāla/Mṛtyu) for warding harm.
It blends multiple knowledge-areas in a single protective formula: Vaishnava weapon symbolism (Nandaka), ethical order (Dharma), state/judicial theory (Daṇḍa as governance), and karmic accounting (Citragupta), showing the Agni Purana’s characteristic integration of ritual, theology, and social-cosmic regulation.
By invoking Dharma and Citragupta alongside Time and Death, the verse frames protection not only as physical safety but as alignment with moral law and karmic order—implying that righteous resolve and accountability help avert calamity and purify one’s path.