Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
कामधेनुरियं विद्या सप्तधा परिकीर्तिता मन्त्रराजं प्रवक्ष्यामि शत्रुचौरादिमोहनम्
kāmadhenuriyaṃ vidyā saptadhā parikīrtitā mantrarājaṃ pravakṣyāmi śatrucaurādimohanam
此种持明（Vidyā）如同如意神牛迦摩提奴（Kāmadhenū），并被宣说为七种形态。今我将宣讲能迷惑敌人、盗贼等的“王者真言”。
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Raksha and mohana-prayoga for neutralizing threats like enemies and thieves through mantra-vidhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Saptadhā Kāmadhenū Vidyā and Śatru-Caura-Mohana Mantrarāja","lookup_keywords":["kāmadhenū vidyā","saptadhā","mantrarāja","mohana","śatru-caura"],"quick_summary":"Introduces a sevenfold mantra-vidyā likened to a wish-fulfilling cow and announces a ‘royal mantra’ aimed at bewildering hostile agents such as enemies and thieves."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Mantra-vidyā as a multi-modal, wish-fulfilling instrument when properly transmitted and applied.
Application: Frames mantra-prayoga as a structured technology (sevenfold) for worldly protection and control of adversity.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Tantra Vidya (Protective Mantras and Mohana-kalpa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru-teacher introduces a sevenfold mantra-vidyā, presenting it as a radiant kāmadhenū, while indicating a scroll of the ‘mantrarāja’ meant to bewilder thieves and enemies.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, a seated rishi-guru with palm-leaf manuscript, luminous kāmadhenū behind him, symbolic thieves/enemies shown subdued at the margins, bold outlines, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central guru figure with ornate halo, kāmadhenū rendered as divine cow with jewels, gold-leaf embellishment, small vignettes of enemies/thieves confused, rich reds and greens, temple-like frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional tableau: guru pointing to seven labeled petals/segments representing saptadhā vidyā, subdued palette, fine shading, manuscript and rosary details.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting with a learned sage presenting a ‘royal mantra’ to a patron, marginal figures of thieves in disarray, fine architectural borders, detailed textiles, restrained gold."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कामधेनुरियं = कामधेनुः + इयम्; शत्रुचौरादिमोहनम् treated as compound (शत्रु-चौर-आदि-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (Mantra-Tantra Vidyā: mohana/rakṣā-kalpa context)
FAQs
It introduces a sevenfoldly-classified Vidyā and announces the teaching of a Mantrarāja specifically aimed at producing mohana (bewilderment) against practical threats like enemies and thieves.
Alongside theology and devotion, the Agni Purana catalogs applied ritual technologies—here, mantric procedures for protection and control—showing its coverage of pragmatic, quasi-technical domains within Puranic religion.
Used within a dharmic framework, such protective mantras are presented as means to avert harm and restore order; the text frames them as a sanctioned Vidyā when employed for safeguarding rather than for unjust aggression.