Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 2
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
दशाक्षराधिका मन्त्रास्तदर्वाग्वीजसंज्ञिताः वर्धक्ये सिद्धिदा ह्य् एते मालामन्त्रास्तु यौवेन
daśākṣarādhikā mantrāstadarvāgvījasaṃjñitāḥ vardhakye siddhidā hy ete mālāmantrāstu yauvena
Những thần chú có hơn mười âm tiết được gọi là “mālā-mantra”; còn những thần chú ít hơn mức ấy được gọi là “bīja (hạt giống)”-mantra. Các thần chú này quả thật ban siddhi khi về già, còn mālā-mantra thì hữu hiệu trong tuổi trẻ.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s instructional material to Vasiṣṭha, per the common dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Operational classification of mantras into bīja vs mālā by syllable-count, with an age-linked efficacy rule used to tailor sādhana prescriptions (youth vs old age).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Bīja-mantra vs Mālā-mantra and age-linked siddhi rule","lookup_keywords":["daśākṣara","bīja-mantra","mālā-mantra","siddhi","vṛddha-yauvana"],"quick_summary":"Mantras shorter than (or up to) ten syllables are treated as bīja; longer are mālā; the verse assigns siddhi-fruition patterns by life-stage—bīja in old age, mālā in youth."}
Concept: Sādhana is individualized: mantra-form and expected siddhi are correlated with adhikāra and life-stage (āśrama/age).
Application: In mantra-paddhati design, prescribe shorter bīja-japa for elders (steady, concentrated practice) and longer mālā-mantras for youth (capacity for extended recitation/ritual elaboration), while keeping guru-upadeśa central.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra (Japa, Mantra-bheda, Siddhi-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher shows two inscriptions: a short bīja-mantra (few akṣaras) and a long mālā-mantra (many akṣaras); an elder practicing japa calmly and a youth performing extended recitation with a garland/rosary.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: split composition—elder with rosary and short seed-mantra glyphs; youth with garland-like long mantra text; strong outlines, symbolic akṣara panels, temple aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted mantra panels, elder and youth with ornate malas, rich textiles, luminous background; emphasis on sacred syllables with embossed gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram feel—two mantra-length panels with akṣara counts, elder/youth practitioners in calm poses, soft shading and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate study scene with two practitioners of different ages, calligraphed mantra strips (short vs long), detailed rosaries, quiet interior with books and lamps."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bageshri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रास्तदर्वाक्... = मन्त्राः + तत् + अर्वाक्... (ः + त → स्त); ह्येते = हि + एते (इ + ए → ये).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (continuation of mantra-paribhāṣā definitions)
FAQs
It gives a technical taxonomy of mantras by syllable-count—below ten as bīja-mantras and above ten as mālā-mantras—and links each type to the practitioner’s life-stage for siddhi-oriented practice.
By treating mantra-prayoga systematically (definitions, classifications, and applied outcomes), it demonstrates the Purana’s compendium-style approach—cataloguing practical ritual technologies alongside other sciences.
It implies that mantra-sādhana is not one-size-fits-all: selecting an appropriate mantra-type for one’s āśrama/age supports steadier japa, fewer obstacles, and more reliable attainment (siddhi) within dharmic practice.