Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Chapter 225 — राजधर्माः
The Duties of Kings): Daiva and Pौरुष (Effort), Upāyas of Statecraft, and Daṇḍa (Punitive Authority
उत्साहमन्त्रशक्त्याद्यै रक्षेद्यस्माद्धरिस्ततः
utsāhamantraśaktyādyai rakṣedyasmāddharistataḥ
Sapagkat ang nagsasagawa ay napangangalagaan ng sigasig, mantra, at kapangyarihan (at iba pa), kaya si Hari (Viṣṇu) ay tinatawag na Tagapagtanggol.
Lord Agni (teaching protective doctrine within raksha/kalpa material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Protective discipline: combine utsāha (resolve), mantra-japa, and śakti (spiritual/ritual power) for rakṣā; invoke Hari as the safeguarding principle.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Hari as Rakṣaka through Utsāha-Mantra-Śakti","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā","utsāha","mantra-śakti","Hari","rakṣa-kalpa"],"quick_summary":"Protection is framed as arising from disciplined zeal, mantra practice, and empowered capacity; Hari is identified as the archetypal Protector."}
Concept: Rakṣā is not passive: it is cultivated through inner resolve, mantra discipline, and empowered practice; divinity is realized as protective function.
Application: Maintain daily japa with clear sankalpa, ethical conduct, and steady courage; use protective rites with focus and restraint.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Raksha-kalpa (Protective rites, mantra-power, spiritual fortification)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in japa posture within a protective circle, radiating energy; behind, Hari stands with conch and discus, extending abhaya (fearlessness).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu/Hari with śaṅkha-cakra, large expressive eyes, sādhaka in foreground with japa-mālā, protective mandala ring, saturated colors and bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Hari as protector with gold halo and embossed ornaments, sādhaka below with mala, gold-worked protective circle and lotus motifs, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: seated practitioner, mantra scroll, subtle aura lines indicating śakti, Hari in the background granting abhaya, fine lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a garden pavilion doing japa, luminous protective circle, Viṣṇu appearing as a divine vision with delicate detailing, restrained palette and intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaktyādyai → śakti-ādyaiḥ; rakṣedyasmād → rakṣet + yasmāt; haristataḥ → hariḥ + tataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on Rakṣā-kalpa and mantra-vidyā (general)
FAQs
It states a rakṣā-principle: protection is effected through utsāha (disciplined resolve), mantra (properly applied sacred formula), and śakti (spiritual potency), establishing these as operative means of ritual safeguarding.
It compresses a practical doctrine of protection—linking psychology (utsāha), liturgy (mantra), and metaphysical efficacy (śakti)—showing how the Agni Purana systematizes ritual technology alongside theology.
By grounding protection in disciplined resolve and sanctified mantra-power, the verse frames safeguarding as dharmic alignment with Hari’s protective presence, reinforcing faith and purity of practice as karmically stabilizing forces.