Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 9
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
अम्भस्तरति यद्वज्रमभेद्यं विमलं च यत् षट्कोणं शक्रचापाभं लघु चार्कनिभं शुभम्
ambhastarati yadvajramabhedyaṃ vimalaṃ ca yat ṣaṭkoṇaṃ śakracāpābhaṃ laghu cārkanibhaṃ śubham
Ang banal na anyong iyon ay tinatawag na Vajra: ito’y “nakakatawid sa mga tubig,” hindi mabubutas at dalisay; may anim-na-sulok, kahawig ng busog ni Indra (bahaghari), magaan, kumikislap na tila araw, at mapalad.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Design/visualization of a protective vajra-yantra/kavaca: hexagonal, rainbow-like, sun-bright, symbolically ‘crossing waters’ and being unpierceable—used for protection and consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vajra-yantra Lakṣaṇa (Hexagonal, Indra’s-bow-like, sun-bright)","lookup_keywords":["vajra-yantra","ṣaṭkoṇa","śakradhanuḥ","arkānibha","kavaca"],"quick_summary":"The ‘Vajra’ protective figure is defined by purity and inviolability, with a hexagonal form and rainbow/sun-like brilliance—guiding correct yantra construction and contemplation."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Form (ākṛti) and guṇa (purity, brilliance) as carriers of protective śakti in yantra-dhāraṇā.
Application: Construct/visualize the specified ṣaṭkoṇa vajra-figure for kavaca purposes; maintain purity and clarity in drawing/engraving.
Khanda Section: Yantra–Mantra & Dhāraṇā (Protective diagrams / Vajra-kavaca type descriptions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred hexagonal vajra-diagram glowing like the sun, with rainbow hues, drawn on a clean surface as a protective kavaca.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central ṣaṭkoṇa yantra with bold lines, radiant halo, rainbow band like śakradhanuḥ, priest drawing it with stylus, temple setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, embossed gold on the yantra lines, sun-like aureole, rich reds, ritual implements, auspicious symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise geometric rendering of ṣaṭkoṇa, instructional clarity, subtle gradients showing arkānibha radiance.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-adept drawing a hexagonal talisman on paper, fine rainbow wash, luminous gold accents, intimate studio scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अम्भस्तरति = अम्भः + तरति; यद्वज्रमभेद्यं = यत् + वज्रम् + अभेद्यम्; शक्रचापाभं = शक्रचाप + आभम्; चार्कनिभं = च + अर्कनिभम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 245 (yantra–dhāraṇā context around vajra)
FAQs
It gives lakṣaṇas (diagnostic features) of a ‘Vajra’ form used as a protective/auspicious ritual emblem—defined by function (overcoming ‘waters’/obstacles) and geometry (ṣaṭkoṇa), along with prescribed auspicious qualities (purity, radiance).
Beyond myth, it catalogs practical ritual-technical descriptors—sacred geometry, iconographic cues, and functional attributes—showing the Purāṇa’s compendium style that includes applied mantra/yantra knowledge alongside theology.
By defining the ‘pure, unpierceable, sun-bright, auspicious’ Vajra-form, the text frames it as a dhāraṇā/protective support meant to remove impediments and promote śubha (benefit), aligning ritual correctness with purification and safeguarding merit.