Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 26
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
यदा कृतं तदा तस्य ब्रह्माण्यङ्गानि पूर्ववत् ओजाख्यमंशुमद्युक्तं प्रथमं वर्णमुद्धरेत्
yadā kṛtaṃ tadā tasya brahmāṇyaṅgāni pūrvavat ojākhyamaṃśumadyuktaṃ prathamaṃ varṇamuddharet
当此已成就之时，应如先前那样复原其梵天之肢（仪式化的微细身分），然后发出/诵出第一字母（varṇa），名为“Ojas”，并与光耀的“Aṃśumat”相合。
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Varṇa-nyāsa and subtle-body (brahmāṅga) visualization to stabilize mantra-siddhi before uttering/placing the first bīja/varṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ojas–Aṃśumat: first varṇa extraction after Brahmāṅga-nyāsa","lookup_keywords":["brahmāṅga","varṇa-uddhāra","ojas","aṃśumat","nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"After completing the prior rite, re-establish the ritual subtle-body limbs (brahmāṅga) and then utter/‘extract’ the first varṇa identified as Ojas, conjoined with the luminous qualifier Aṃśumat."}
Concept: Śabda (varṇa/bīja) is activated through nyāsa: the body is ritually reconstituted as a mantra-body before sound is deployed.
Application: Perform limb-nyāsa first; then pronounce/place the bīja with focused visualization of tejas (radiance) to avoid ‘dry’ recitation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya / Varna-nyasa and subtle-body (Brahmāṅga) visualization
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in padmāsana, re-touching limbs in nyāsa (brahmāṅga), then uttering a glowing first bīja labeled Ojas with a halo-like Aṃśumat radiance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, sādhaka with sacred thread and rudrākṣa, hands touching head-heart-shoulders in nyāsa, luminous syllable glyph hovering, stylized flames of tejas, flat decorative foliage borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka before a small altar, embossed gold halo around a glowing Sanskrit bīja, rich reds and greens, ornate arch frame, subtle depiction of limb-nyāsa gestures","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework, instructional clarity: numbered limb-touch points, small caption-like glyph ‘Ojas’ joined with ‘Aṃśumat’ radiance, soft pastel wash, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with carpet and low altar, sādhaka performing nyāsa, delicate calligraphic bīja floating above palm, fine detailing of light rays (aṃśu) and calm atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: brahmāṇyaṅgāni → brahmaṇi + aṅgāni; ojākhyamaṃśumadyuktam → ojākhya + aṃśumat + yuktam; varṇamuddharet → varṇam + uddharet
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (nyāsa/varṇa-devatā sequence); Agni Purana mantra-vidhi sections on bīja and nyāsa (adjacent verses 316.27–316.30)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-technical step: after completing the prior rite, the practitioner reinstates the nyāsa-mapped ‘Brahmā-limbs’ and then performs varṇa-uddhāra—drawing out/uttering the first designated syllable, characterized here as ‘Ojas’ combined with ‘Aṃśumat’ (a luminous adjunct).
Beyond myth and devotion, the Agni Purāṇa preserves operational ritual technology—nyāsa, syllable-extraction, and precise phonemic sequencing—showing it functions as a practical handbook for mantra construction and tantric-style liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
By re-sanctifying the body through brahmāṅga-nyāsa and correctly articulating the empowered syllable, the practitioner aligns speech, body, and vital-force (ojas) for mantra-siddhi—supporting purification, focused consciousness, and ritually effective outcomes.