Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 2
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
विन्यस्य नारसिंहेन सम्मन्त्र्य शतवारकं सर्षपांस्तु फडन्तेन रक्षोघ्नान् सर्वतः क्षिपेत्
vinyasya nārasiṃhena sammantrya śatavārakaṃ sarṣapāṃstu phaḍantena rakṣoghnān sarvataḥ kṣipet
先以那罗辛诃（Narasiṁha）真言行护身安置（nyāsa），再将芥子以真言诵满一百零八遍而加持；随后发出“phaṭ”之音，将这些能灭罗刹的芥子向四方散掷。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Apotropaic protection: mantra-nyāsa, mantra-charged mustard-seed scattering with phaṭ to ward off bhūta/rakṣas and purify space in all directions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Narasiṁha-nyāsa and rakṣoghna-sarṣapa-kṣepa (phaṭ)","lookup_keywords":["Narasiṁha-nyāsa","sarṣapa mustard","phaṭ-kāra","rakṣoghna","108-japa"],"quick_summary":"Perform Narasiṁha-nyāsa, empower mustard seeds with 108 recitations, then scatter them in all directions with the utterance “phaṭ” for protective expulsion of hostile forces."}
Concept: Mantra-śakti is ‘installed’ (nyāsa) and then externalized through charged substances to create a protective boundary (dik-bandha).
Application: Use nyāsa + japa + kṣepa as a repeatable protocol for space-clearing before worship, homa, installation, or travel-rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Raksha-kalpa (Protective rites and mantra-procedures)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka performs Narasiṁha-nyāsa, then scatters mantra-charged mustard seeds to the four directions while uttering “phaṭ,” forming an invisible protective circle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, sādhaka in white dhoti performing nyāsa with Narasiṁha aura behind, mustard seeds flying to four directions, subtle guardian motifs at cardinal points, flat decorative foliage borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Narasiṁha halo in embossed gold, priest scattering mustard seeds with raised hand, directional lotuses at corners, rich jewel tones, gold-work emphasizing protective radiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework showing stepwise ritual: nyāsa gestures, japa count beads, bowl of mustard seeds, then scattering with ‘phaṭ’ indicated in Devanāgarī, soft shading and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard with four directional markers, practitioner scattering seeds, attendants holding a small vessel and japa-mālā, fine architectural detailing, restrained palette with precise brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्षपांस्तु = सर्षपान् + तु; रक्षोघ्नान् = रक्षःघ्नान् (विसर्ग-लोप); शतवारकं treated as द्विगु ‘शत+वारक’ (≈शतवारम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Rakṣā-kalpa sections on nyāsa, dik-bandha, bhūta-śuddhi, phaṭ-kāra usage
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga: perform Narasiṁha-nyāsa, empower mustard seeds by 108 japa, then scatter them in all directions while uttering “phaṭ” as an apotropaic act to repel/destroy hostile beings.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical ritual technology—nyāsa, fixed japa counts (108), use of ritual substances (mustard), and specific mantra-utterances (“phaṭ”)—showing the Agni Purana’s breadth across applied liturgy and protective rites.
It is framed as a purification and safeguarding act: invoking Narasiṁha’s protective power and dispersing consecrated substances is meant to remove obstructive/inauspicious influences and secure ritual and household sanctity.