Chapter 283 — Mantras as Medicine (मन्त्ररूपौषधकथनम्)
चक्रिणङ्गदिनञ्चैव शार्ङ्गिणं खड्गिनं स्मरेत् नारायणं सर्वकाले नृसिंहो ऽखिलभीतिनुत्
cakriṇaṅgadinañcaiva śārṅgiṇaṃ khaḍginaṃ smaret nārāyaṇaṃ sarvakāle nṛsiṃho 'khilabhītinut
当忆念主为持轮与持杵者,为执持娑楞伽(Śārṅga)神弓者,亦为持剑者;当于一切时恒念那罗延(Nārāyaṇa)——尼罗辛诃(Nṛsiṃha),能除尽诸怖畏者。
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective smaraṇa (remembrance) by meditating on Viṣṇu’s weapons and forms—cakra, gadā, Śārṅga bow, sword—maintaining all-time Nārāyaṇa/Nṛsiṃha remembrance for fear-dispelling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Āyudha-dhāri Viṣṇu-smaraṇa for Sarva-bhaya-nāśa (Cakra–Gadā–Śārṅga–Khaḍga; Nārāyaṇa/Nṛsiṃha)","lookup_keywords":["cakrin","gadin","śārṅgin","khaḍgin","bhaya-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes weapon-form dhyāna as a protective practice: remember the Lord as bearer of discus, mace, bow, and sword. Continuous remembrance of Nārāyaṇa—especially Nṛsiṃha—functions as an all-purpose fear-dispelling kavaca."}
Weapon Type: Discus (Chakra), Mace (Gada), Bow (Śārṅga), Sword (Khaḍga)
Concept: Smaraṇa as continuous kavaca: unbroken remembrance (sarvakāla) transforms fear into steadiness; divine attributes (āyudha) symbolize protective power and inner resolve.
Application: Practice brief daily dhyāna of Viṣṇu’s four weapons; in moments of fear, repeat 'Nārāyaṇa' or 'Nṛsiṃha' with visualization of cakra/gadā as protective perimeter.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vishnu-smarana (Protective remembrance and mantra-oriented devotion)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Nārāyaṇa stands armed with cakra, gadā, Śārṅga, and sword, while a devotee remembers him continuously; behind, Nṛsiṃha appears as a fierce guardian dissolving dark shapes of fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, monumental Viṣṇu with four weapons, bold outlines, devotee at feet in añjali, shadowy fear-forms retreating, Nṛsiṃha guardian in background, rich earthy palette and ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Nārāyaṇa with gold-embossed weapons and halo, gem-studded ornaments, devotee below, secondary fierce Nṛsiṃha vignette with gold aura, deep maroons and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, clear depiction of each weapon with labels, calm devotee in continuous japa posture, subtle protective circle motif around him","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior shrine scene, Viṣṇu armed with cakra/gadā/bow/sword, devotee with rosary, dramatic yet controlled Nṛsiṃha apparition dispersing dark clouds, intricate floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cakriṇaṅgadinañcaiva → cakriṇam + gadīnam + ca + eva; nṛsiṃho 'khilabhītinut → nṛsiṃhaḥ + akhilabhītinut.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 283 (protective nāma/mantra and smaraṇa instructions)
It teaches a practical upāsanā method: continuous smaraṇa (remembrance/meditation) of Nārāyaṇa specifically through iconographic identifiers—discus, mace, Śārṅga bow, and sword—framed as a protective devotional practice.
By encoding a compact ritual-application guideline (how to meditate and on what forms/emblems) alongside theology (Nārāyaṇa/Nṛsiṃha as refuge), it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s wide scope—cataloging not only narratives but also actionable devotional and protective procedures.
Constant remembrance of Nārāyaṇa—especially as Nṛsiṃha—functions as a fear-dispelling refuge (abhaya), supporting inner purification, steadiness of mind, and protective merit through sustained devotion.