Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
दहनादिप्रयोगोयं शाकिनीञ्चैव कर्पयेत् मध्यादिवारुणीं यावद्वक्रतुण्डसमन्वितः
dahanādiprayogoyaṃ śākinīñcaiva karpayet madhyādivāruṇīṃ yāvadvakratuṇḍasamanvitaḥ
یہ دَہن وغیرہ سے شروع ہونے والا عمل ہے؛ شاکِنی کو بھی کَربِت (قابو/دور) کرے۔ پھر درمیان سے آگے ‘وارُنی’ کا عمل اس وقت تک جاری رکھے جب تک وہ ‘وَکر تُنڈ’ کے ساتھ مقرون نہ ہو جائے۔
Lord Agni (narrating the procedural instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/expulsive rite (nivāraṇa) against Śākinī and related afflictive forces, using a sequence beginning with ‘dahana’ (incineration) and a Vāruṇī (Varuṇa/water) operation applied in a specified progression (from the middle onward) until a ‘vakratunḍa’ sign/association is established.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dahana-ādi Prayoga for Śākinī-nivāraṇa with Vāruṇī-krama","lookup_keywords":["shakini-nivarana","dahana-prayoga","varuni","madhyadi-krama","vakratunda"],"quick_summary":"Gives a procedural sequence for driving away Śākinī: begin with an incineration-type operation, then apply a Varuṇa/water-based module in a middle-to-end progression until the rite is ‘accompanied’ by the vakratunḍa marker."}
Concept: Apotropaic sequencing: transforming/neutralizing hostile entities through opposing elements (fire ‘dahana’ and water ‘vāruṇī’) and ordered mantra-application (madhyādi-krama).
Application: Ritual design principle: combine elemental countermeasures and strict recitation/nyāsa order when addressing graha/śākinī-type disturbances.
Khanda Section: Tantra-Mantra Prayoga (Protective rites; Graha/Śākinī-nivāraṇa)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An exorcistic ritual: a fire operation (dahana) followed by sprinkling/placing water (Vāruṇī) in a prescribed middle-to-end sequence, with a vakratunḍa emblem appearing as protective accompaniment while a Śākinī figure retreats.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized ritual fire altar with swirling flames, priest performing sprinkling with a water pot marked with Varuṇa symbols, a shadowy Śākinī at the edge dissolving, a protective vakratunḍa emblem above, bold outlines and earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ritual altar with gold-highlighted flames, ornate kalaśa for Vāruṇī, small vakratunḍa medallion in gold, the Śākinī rendered as a subdued peripheral figure, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise instructional scene: panel 1 fire rite, panel 2 water application from ‘middle’ positions on a diagram, panel 3 vakratunḍa sign added; delicate lines and clear labeling","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard ritual with brazier and attendants, water-pot and sprinkling gesture, marginal depiction of a fleeing spirit, fine textiles and architectural detail, subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दहनादिप्रयोगोयं = दहन-आदि-प्रयोगः + अयम्; शाकिनीञ्चैव = शाकिनीम् + च + एव; यावद्वक्र... = यावत् + वक्र-तुण्ड-समन्वितः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (graha/śākinī protective prayogas; nyāsa/krama instructions)
FAQs
It gives a procedural cue for a protective tantric operation: a ‘dahanādi’ (burning/incineration-based) prayoga to subdue a Śākinī, supplemented by a Vāruṇī (water/Varuṇa-related) counter-rite performed in a specified sequence.
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied ritual technologies—specific prayogas for spirit-afflictions and countermeasures (fire-rite plus water-rite), illustrating its wide scope across practical occult/ritual domains.
It frames purification and protection as actionable rites: removing harmful influences (Śākinī-doṣa) through sanctioned procedures, aiming at restoring ritual purity, mental steadiness, and auspicious conditions for dharmic life.