Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
दहनादिप्रयोगोयं शाकिनीञ्चैव कर्पयेत् मध्यादिवारुणीं यावद्वक्रतुण्डसमन्वितः
dahanādiprayogoyaṃ śākinīñcaiva karpayet madhyādivāruṇīṃ yāvadvakratuṇḍasamanvitaḥ
此为以焚烧为始之法；亦当制伏（驱遣）沙吉尼（Śākinī）。当自中段起施行“伐楼尼”（Vāruṇī，水/伐楼那相关）之作业，直至与“曲喙者”之相/征相相伴。
Lord Agni (narrating the procedural instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/expulsive rite (nivāraṇa) against Śākinī and related afflictive forces, using a sequence beginning with ‘dahana’ (incineration) and a Vāruṇī (Varuṇa/water) operation applied in a specified progression (from the middle onward) until a ‘vakratunḍa’ sign/association is established.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dahana-ādi Prayoga for Śākinī-nivāraṇa with Vāruṇī-krama","lookup_keywords":["shakini-nivarana","dahana-prayoga","varuni","madhyadi-krama","vakratunda"],"quick_summary":"Gives a procedural sequence for driving away Śākinī: begin with an incineration-type operation, then apply a Varuṇa/water-based module in a middle-to-end progression until the rite is ‘accompanied’ by the vakratunḍa marker."}
Concept: Apotropaic sequencing: transforming/neutralizing hostile entities through opposing elements (fire ‘dahana’ and water ‘vāruṇī’) and ordered mantra-application (madhyādi-krama).
Application: Ritual design principle: combine elemental countermeasures and strict recitation/nyāsa order when addressing graha/śākinī-type disturbances.
Khanda Section: Tantra-Mantra Prayoga (Protective rites; Graha/Śākinī-nivāraṇa)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An exorcistic ritual: a fire operation (dahana) followed by sprinkling/placing water (Vāruṇī) in a prescribed middle-to-end sequence, with a vakratunḍa emblem appearing as protective accompaniment while a Śākinī figure retreats.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized ritual fire altar with swirling flames, priest performing sprinkling with a water pot marked with Varuṇa symbols, a shadowy Śākinī at the edge dissolving, a protective vakratunḍa emblem above, bold outlines and earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ritual altar with gold-highlighted flames, ornate kalaśa for Vāruṇī, small vakratunḍa medallion in gold, the Śākinī rendered as a subdued peripheral figure, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise instructional scene: panel 1 fire rite, panel 2 water application from ‘middle’ positions on a diagram, panel 3 vakratunḍa sign added; delicate lines and clear labeling","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard ritual with brazier and attendants, water-pot and sprinkling gesture, marginal depiction of a fleeing spirit, fine textiles and architectural detail, subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दहनादिप्रयोगोयं = दहन-आदि-प्रयोगः + अयम्; शाकिनीञ्चैव = शाकिनीम् + च + एव; यावद्वक्र... = यावत् + वक्र-तुण्ड-समन्वितः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (graha/śākinī protective prayogas; nyāsa/krama instructions)
FAQs
It gives a procedural cue for a protective tantric operation: a ‘dahanādi’ (burning/incineration-based) prayoga to subdue a Śākinī, supplemented by a Vāruṇī (water/Varuṇa-related) counter-rite performed in a specified sequence.
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied ritual technologies—specific prayogas for spirit-afflictions and countermeasures (fire-rite plus water-rite), illustrating its wide scope across practical occult/ritual domains.
It frames purification and protection as actionable rites: removing harmful influences (Śākinī-doṣa) through sanctioned procedures, aiming at restoring ritual purity, mental steadiness, and auspicious conditions for dharmic life.