Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
हविष्मांश् च गरिष्ठश् च ऋतः सत्यश् च पान्तु वः क्रतुर्दक्षो वसुः सत्यः कालकामो धुरिर्जये
haviṣmāṃś ca gariṣṭhaś ca ṛtaḥ satyaś ca pāntu vaḥ kraturdakṣo vasuḥ satyaḥ kālakāmo dhurirjaye
حویشمٰن اور گریشٹھ، نیز رِت اور ستیہ تمہاری حفاظت کریں؛ اور کرتو، دکش، وسو، ستیہ، کالکام اور دھُری جنگ میں فتح کے لیے تمہاری نگہبانی کریں۔
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Raksha-prayoga: recite a protective litany of divine epithets before travel, battle, or risky undertakings to invoke victory (jaya) and avert obstacles.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Raksha-litania for Jaya (Victory) invoking Haviṣmān–Dhuri","lookup_keywords":["raksha-mantra","jaya","Haviṣmān","Ṛta-Satya","Kratu-Dakṣa"],"quick_summary":"A protective invocation listing guardian names/epithets; used as a victory-charm in conflict or competitive situations by remembrance/recitation with intent (saṅkalpa)."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic recurrence) / Nāma-mālā (name-garland)
Concept: Ṛta–Satya as protective principles: aligning action with cosmic order and truth strengthens success and safety.
Application: Before action, affirm truthfulness and right order (ṛta) through mantra-recitation and ethical resolve.
Khanda Section: Mantra-stotra / Raksha-prayoga (Protective invocations and deity-epithet litany)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior or traveler stands at dawn, hands in añjali, reciting a protective name-litania while attendants prepare for departure; subtle divine presences labeled by epithets hover as guardians.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a kshatriya in traditional armor praying with añjali, stylized guardian deities as name-banners (Haviṣmān, Ṛta, Satya, Kratu, Dakṣa), sacred aura, minimal depth, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central praying figure before a small shrine, embossed gold halos for abstract guardian forms, inscriptions of epithets, rich reds and greens, jewel-like detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional feel: a pre-battle raksha recitation scene with labeled epithets around the figure, soft palette, fine ornamentation","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly battlefield camp at sunrise, commander reciting mantra, attendants and horses, calligraphic cartouches with the divine names, fine architectural tent details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective-invocation","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हविष्मांश्→हविष्मान्; गरिष्ठश्→गरिष्ठः; सत्यश्→सत्यः; क्रतुर्दक्षो→क्रतुः दक्षः; धुरिर्जये→धुरिः जये
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (Raksha-prayoga / nāma-stotra section)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga style invocation: a protective litany of divine epithets/powers (Ṛta, Satya, Kratu, Dakṣa, Vasu, etc.) to be recited for safeguarding and securing victory (jaya), functioning as a mantra-like protective formula.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and architecture elsewhere, the Agni Purana also preserves practical ritual technology—protective recitations and victory-oriented prayers—showing how Puranic literature integrates theology with applied rites (rakṣā, jaya, śānti).
By invoking Ṛta (cosmic order) and Satya (truth), the verse frames victory as dharma-aligned: protection and success are sought through adherence to truth, right order, and disciplined sacrificial intent (kratu), cultivating merit and moral legitimacy.