Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
गायत्रीप्रणवस्तोत्रमन्त्रजप्यमघान्तकं काद्यैर् आवीजसंयुक्तैर् आद्यैर् आद्यैस्तदन्तकैः
gāyatrīpraṇavastotramantrajapyamaghāntakaṃ kādyair āvījasaṃyuktair ādyair ādyaistadantakaiḥ
应持诵伽雅特丽（Gāyatrī）与普拉那瓦赞颂（Praṇava-stotra）之咒——此咒能灭罪——其法以“ka”起首之音节，配合种子音“āvī”，并用诸初始元音（a、ā等），且令其结尾亦以同样的初始元音作终。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Mantra-japa construction rules for a sin-destroying formula combining Gāyatrī and Praṇava-stotra elements, with specified phonemic/akṣara sequencing and bīja-joining.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa-lakṣaṇa for Gāyatrī–Praṇava-stotra mantra with bīja and varṇa-krama","lookup_keywords":["gāyatrī-japa","praṇava-stotra","bīja-āvī","kādi-varṇa","akṣara-nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a technical rule for performing japa of a sin-destroying Gāyatrī–Praṇava-stotra mantra: employ syllables from ‘ka’ onward, joined with the bīja ‘āvī’, and use initial vowels as both opening and closing elements."}
Concept: Sacred sound is treated as a precise technology: phonemes, bīja, and ordering (krama) are integral to efficacy in japa.
Application: Maintain exact pronunciation and sequence; treat the mantra as a structured phonemic formula rather than improvisation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi (Gayatri–Pranava Stotra and Japa-lakshana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated on a kusa mat performs japa with a rosary; around him float stylized Sanskrit syllables—ka-series, the bīja ‘āvī’, and the initial vowels—arranged in a circular phonemic diagram, indicating the prescribed sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditative sādhaka with japa-mālā, luminous akṣara-mandala encircling him (ka-varga, vowels, bīja ‘āvī’), temple-lamp glow, flat iconic composition, deep greens and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogic figure with gold halo, ornate akṣara-mandala rendered with gold accents, ‘Oṃ’ prominent, rich textile borders, devotional yet technical symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional phoneme-wheel: ka-series and vowel series labeled, bīja ‘āvī’ highlighted, sādhaka demonstrating japa posture, neat linework and soft colors for readability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-sādhaka in a study with manuscripts, a diagram of akṣaras on a folio, rosary in hand, subtle mystical glow around ‘Oṃ’ and bīja, fine detailing and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काद्यैः (क + आद्यैः); आवीजसंयुक्तैः (आवीज + संयुक्तैः); आद्यैः + आद्यैः (पुनरुक्ति); आद्यैः + तदन्तकैः → आद्यैस्तदन्तकैः (ः + त् → स्त्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra-vidhi chapters on bīja, nyāsa, and japa-lakṣaṇa; Agni Purana: Gāyatrī and Praṇava praise/usage sections
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-japa formulation: the Gayatri–Pranava stotra is to be recited using structured phonetic components—syllables beginning with ‘ka’, combined with a bīja (‘āvī’), and framed/terminated by the initial vowel-series—indicating a codified method of mantra construction and recitation.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves technical mantra-vidhi: phonetic sequencing (varṇa-krama), bīja-usage, and japa-instructions—showing the text’s catalog-like coverage of ritual technologies alongside other disciplines.
The verse explicitly characterizes the practice as “aghāntaka” (sin-destroying): correct japa of Gayatri and Praṇava, performed per prescribed phonetic rules, is presented as a purifier that removes demerit and supports spiritual uplift.