Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
वं शं मं क्षं पाञ्चजन्यं छं तं पंकौस्तुभाय च जं खं वं सुदर्शनाय श्रीवत्साय सं वं दं चंलं
vaṃ śaṃ maṃ kṣaṃ pāñcajanyaṃ chaṃ taṃ paṃkaustubhāya ca jaṃ khaṃ vaṃ sudarśanāya śrīvatsāya saṃ vaṃ daṃ caṃlaṃ
“（应以安置法nyāsa分配这些种子音节：）将‘vaṃ、śaṃ、maṃ、kṣaṃ’安置于海螺Pāñcajanya；将‘chaṃ、taṃ、paṃ’亦安置于宝珠Kaustubha；将‘jaṃ、khaṃ、vaṃ’安置于神轮Sudarśana；并将‘saṃ、vaṃ、daṃ’安置于Śrīvatsa圣痕——如是把真言音节安置在诸神圣标志之上。”
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Performing Viṣṇu-pūjā nyāsa by installing bīja-syllables onto the Lord’s emblems (śaṅkha, kaustubha, cakra, śrīvatsa) to sacralize the body/altar and stabilize visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bīja-nyāsa on Viṣṇu’s emblems (Pāñcajanya–Kaustubha–Sudarśana–Śrīvatsa)","lookup_keywords":["nyāsa","bīja","pāñcajanya","sudarśana","śrīvatsa"],"quick_summary":"Assign specified bīja-syllables to Viṣṇu’s conch, jewel, discus, and chest-mark as part of mantra-nyāsa, strengthening ritual identification with the deity’s attributes."}
Weapon Type: Chakra (Sudarśana)
Concept: Mantra-śarīra: deity’s attributes become empowered loci through bīja-nyāsa, enabling identification (tādātmya) in worship.
Application: During pūjā, touch/visualize the emblem-loci while uttering bījas to ‘install’ the deity’s powers before upacāras.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa and Vishnu-upachara)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper performs nyāsa, touching/visualizing Viṣṇu’s conch, Kaustubha jewel, Sudarśana discus, and Śrīvatsa while uttering bīja-syllables; the emblems glow as syllables appear upon them.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Viṣṇu standing serene with Pāñcajanya and Sudarśana, Kaustubha and Śrīvatsa on chest, bīja-syllables rendered as glowing script on each emblem, deep earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu richly ornamented with gold leaf, prominent Kaustubha and Śrīvatsa, conch and discus highlighted, bīja-syllables as delicate gold inscriptions near each emblem, ornate arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional nyāsa scene: priest’s hand gestures (touch points) shown clearly, Viṣṇu icon with labeled emblems, soft colors, fine linework, manuscript-diagram feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly devotional setting with a Vaiṣṇava priest performing nyāsa before a Viṣṇu image, tiny Devanāgarī bījas floating near conch/jewel/discus/mark, detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No significant sandhi; sequence largely consists of mantra-bīja syllables plus dative forms (कौस्तुभाय, सुदर्शनाय, श्रीवत्साय).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (Pūjā-vidhi: nyāsa, aṅga-vinyāsa, kavaca/astra)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-nyāsa: the practical placement/assignment of specific bīja-syllables onto Vishnu’s emblems (conch, Kaustubha jewel, discus, and Śrīvatsa) as part of formal pūjā and internal visualization.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied liturgy—precise ritual micro-instructions (nyāsa and bīja deployment) that function like a manual for temple/home worship, showing the text’s coverage of technical devotional practice.
Nyāsa is intended to sacralize the worshipper’s action and visualization, aligning body, speech, and mind with Vishnu’s auspicious powers; it is traditionally held to purify the rite and strengthen devotional concentration (bhakti) and merit (puṇya).