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
جسے ‘پانیوں سے پار اُتارنے والا’ کہا گیا ہے، جو ناقابلِ شگاف اور پاکیزہ ہے؛ جو شش گوشہ، شکرچاپ (قوسِ قزح) کے مانند، ہلکا، آفتاب سا درخشاں اور مبارک ہے—وہی وجْر کہلاتا ہے۔
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.