Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 17
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
प्रणवं हृदयं पूर्वं परायेति शिरः शिखा नाम्नात्मना तु कवचं अस्त्रं नामान्तकं भवेत्
praṇavaṃ hṛdayaṃ pūrvaṃ parāyeti śiraḥ śikhā nāmnātmanā tu kavacaṃ astraṃ nāmāntakaṃ bhavet
首先，将圣音Praṇava（Oṃ）安置为“心”真言；“parāya”安置于“头”与“顶髻”（śikhā）。以自身之名并加“ātman”而诵，则成Kavaca（护甲真言）；以“namaḥ”作结，则成Astra（武器真言）。
Lord Agni (teaching Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Executing pañcāṅga/nyāsa mapping: Oṃ to heart; ‘parāya’ to head and topknot; self-name + ‘ātman’ as kavaca; ‘namaḥ’-ending as astra—used for protection and ritual sealing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Hr̥daya–śiras–śikhā–kavaca–astra nyāsa using praṇava, parāya, name+ātman, and namaḥ","lookup_keywords":["hṛdaya-nyāsa","kavaca","astra","praṇava","namaḥ"],"quick_summary":"Install Oṃ at the heart, place ‘parāya’ at head/topknot, form a protective kavaca with one’s name plus ‘ātman’, and seal with an astra by adding ‘namaḥ’."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric weapon-seal)
Concept: Kavaca-astra paradigm: mantra constructs an inner armor and an outward ‘weapon’ seal, integrating self (nāma) into protective sacral identity.
Application: Before japa/pūjā, perform this nyāsa to establish protection, focus, and ritual boundary; especially used prior to offerings and concluding rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-nyasa (Anga-nyasa and Kavaca-Astra practice)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner touches heart, head, and topknot in sequence; a translucent armor of light forms around the body (kavaca), then a radiant ‘astra’ ring expands outward as the ‘namaḥ’ seal is uttered.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold-lined figure performing nyāsa mudrās, luminous protective aura forming as layered bands, Oṃ and ‘namaḥ’ in stylized script, temple background minimal","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure with gold halo and embossed protective armor motifs, concentric gold rings as astra seal, Sanskrit glyphs in gold leaf","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, step-by-step instructional panels: heart/head/topknot touches, then armor visualization, then outward seal; clean composition and fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, yogin-priest in a shrine courtyard, subtle glowing armor around him, outward expanding circle indicating astra, detailed flora and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परायेति = पराय + इति; नाम्नात्मना = नाम्ना + आत्मना (vowel coalescence ā + ā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25.16 (fivefold nyāsa principle); Agni Purana 25 (pūjā-vidhi sections on nyāsa and upacāra)
FAQs
It teaches a compact nyāsa scheme: placing Oṁ as the heart-mantra, assigning ‘parāya’ to head/topknot, forming a kavaca by combining one’s name with ‘ātman’, and forming an astra by using a formula that ends in ‘namaḥ’ for protective, obstacle-dispelling application.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—how to construct and deploy specific mantra-forms (hṛdaya, śiras/śikhā, kavaca, astra). This practical liturgical detail exemplifies the Agni Purana’s wide scope as a manual of applied religious disciplines.
By ritually ‘installing’ mantra into vital points (heart, head, crown) and sealing oneself with kavaca-astra formulas, the practitioner seeks inner purification, steadiness of mind, and protection from impediments—supporting successful worship and meritorious practice.