Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 17
Chapter 39 — भूपरिग्रहविधानम्
Bhū-parigraha-vidhāna: Procedure for Acquiring and Ritually Securing Land
अष्टाक्षरेण सक्तूंश् च पातायित्वाष्टदिक्षु च राक्षसाश् च पिशाचाश् च येस्मिंस्तिष्ठन्ति भूतले
aṣṭākṣareṇa saktūṃś ca pātāyitvāṣṭadikṣu ca rākṣasāś ca piśācāś ca yesmiṃstiṣṭhanti bhūtale
Khi tụng thần chú tám âm và rải saktū (hạt rang) về tám phương, thì các rākṣasa và piśāca—bất cứ kẻ nào cư trú trên mặt đất tại nơi ấy—đều bị xua đuổi.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Raksha-kalpa for cleansing a spot/house/ritual ground by directional scattering (dik-kṣepa) with mantra to repel bhūta-preta influences.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṣṭākṣara-mantra dik-kṣepa with saktū for bhūta-preta-śānti","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭākṣara","saktū","dik-kṣepa","rākṣasa","piśāca"],"quick_summary":"Scatter parched grain in the eight directions while reciting the eight-syllabled mantra; this functions as a protective expulsion rite for rākṣasa/piśāca disturbances at that location."}
Concept: Mantra + dravya (saktū) + dik-krama as an operative protective technology (rakṣā) to remove unseen obstacles.
Application: Before worship, residence, or consecration, perform directional scattering with mantra to establish a ritually safe perimeter.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi & Raksha-kalpa (Protective rites / Bhuta-preta-shanti)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha/River/Mountain/Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist stands at a cleared patch of ground, casting handfuls of parched grain to the eight directions while reciting an eight-syllabled mantra; shadowy rākṣasas and piśācas withdraw beyond the boundary.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, ritualist in white dhoti with sacred thread, eight directional markers around a mandala-like ground, saktū grains shown as golden dots, dark bhūta figures receding, sacred protective aura, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights, central priest figure scattering grains, eight-direction lotus compass, subtle gold halo of protection, stylized rākṣasa/piśāca at margins fading, rich reds and greens, temple-ritual ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional clarity: eight arrows for directions, priest hand gestures, bowl of saktū, mantra recitation indicated by script ribbon, minimal background, soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ground texture, priest scattering grains to cardinal/intercardinal points, small grotesque spirits fleeing, delicate borders, calligraphic cartouche naming aṣṭākṣara and dik-kṣepa"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पातायित्वाष्टदिक्षु = पातायित्वा + अष्टदिक्षु; येस्मिंस्तिष्ठन्ति = ये + अस्मिन् + तिष्ठन्ति (सन्धि-लोप/संयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 39 (Rakṣā-kalpa / mantra-vidhi context)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga: recite an aṣṭākṣara (eight-syllable) mantra and scatter saktū (parched grain) as an offering in the eight directions to ward off hostile beings.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—directional offerings (aṣṭadik), mantra-prayoga, and spirit-warding—showing the text’s coverage of practical religious procedures alongside theology.
It functions as a purification and protection rite: by mantra and bali-like scattering, the space is ritually secured (rakṣita), reducing afflictions attributed to piśāca/rākṣasa influences and supporting auspiciousness for worship and daily life.