Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 13
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
पटस्थमिति क , ग , छ , ज , ट च मन्त्रेणेन्द्रं समभ्यर्च्य जितभूः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् भद्रकालीं पटे लिख्य पूजयेदाश्विने जये
paṭasthamiti ka , ga , cha , ja , ṭa ca mantreṇendraṃ samabhyarcya jitabhūḥ svargamāpnuyāt bhadrakālīṃ paṭe likhya pūjayedāśvine jaye
Sa pamamagitan ng mantrang nagsisimula sa “paṭastham”—gamit ang mga pantig na ka, ga, cha, ja, at ṭa—dapat sambahin nang wasto si Indra; at bilang mananakop ng daigdig, makakamit ang langit. Pagkaguhit kay Bhadrakālī sa telang paṭa, dapat siyang sambahin para sa tagumpay sa buwan ng Āśvina.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing a sage (commonly transmitted as Vasiṣṭha in later framing)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective-victory rite: mantra-syllable nyāsa/recitation for Indra worship, plus paṭa (cloth) icon worship of Bhadrakālī in Āśvina for conquest/victory aims.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Jaya-kalpa: Indra-arcana with ‘paṭastham’ mantra and Bhadrakālī-paṭa-pūjā (Āśvina)","lookup_keywords":["paṭastham","ka ga cha ja ṭa","Indra-pūjā","Bhadrakālī-paṭa","Āśvina-jaya"],"quick_summary":"Defines a victory-oriented ritual: worship Indra using a specific syllabic mantra sequence, and worship Bhadrakālī drawn on cloth during Āśvina to secure triumph and protection."}
Weapon Type: Indra-associated vajra (implied) and victory-rite context
Concept: Mantra and icon (paṭa) function as vehicles of divine presence; victory is framed as siddhi arising from correct upāsanā.
Application: For ritualists: follow time (Āśvina), medium (cloth icon), and mantra-structure precisely; for rulers: integrate śānti and jaya rites with ethical governance.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-mantra-kalpa (protective rites and victory rituals)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Cosmology
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual chamber where a priest worships Indra with mantra syllables, while a vivid cloth painting of Bhadrakālī is displayed and offered flowers and lamps for victory in Āśvina.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Bhadrakālī on a hanging paṭa with fierce yet auspicious expression, priest offering lamp and flowers, Indra symbolized with vajra and white elephant motif in background, rich reds/greens, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Bhadrakālī paṭa as central framed cloth with gold foil accents, ornate arch border, priest and patron offering, small Indra vignette with vajra, heavy jewelry and halos.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction: cloth icon on stand, labeled syllables ‘ka ga cha ja ṭa’ in decorative script, priest performing ārati, clean lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor ritual scene with detailed textiles, a hanging cloth painting of Bhadrakālī, attendants holding offerings, calligraphic panel showing the mantra syllables, refined palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रेणेन्द्रं = मन्त्रेण + इन्द्रम् (ण + इ → णे); स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् = स्वर्गम् + आप्नुयात् (म् + आ → मा); पूजयेदाश्विने = पूजयेत् + आश्विने (त् + आ → दा, per external sandhi/voicing in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-kalpa and rakṣā-vidhi sections; Agni Purana: Devī-upāsanā and paṭa/yantra-related prayogas
FAQs
It teaches a jaya-prayoga (victory application): worship Indra with a specified mantra using syllabic components, and perform paṭa-lekhana (drawing a deity on cloth) to worship Bhadrakālī for victory in Āśvina.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical ritual technologies—mantra-usage, seasonal timing (Āśvina), and image-on-cloth worship—alongside broader theology, making it an encyclopedic compendium of applied religious procedures.
The rite promises both worldly success (jaya, conquest) and posthumous merit (attainment of svarga), presenting victory-oriented worship as simultaneously a dharmic act that yields spiritual reward.