Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 4
Rudra-śānti (रुद्रशान्ति)
कार्येति ख शिवः शिखा तथा ज्योतिः सवित्रश्चेतिगोचराः गोचरन्तु कुलं ज्ञेयं तेन लक्ष्यस्तु दीक्षितः
kāryeti kha śivaḥ śikhā tathā jyotiḥ savitraścetigocarāḥ gocarantu kulaṃ jñeyaṃ tena lakṣyastu dīkṣitaḥ
“Kārya”“Kha”“Śiva”“Śikhā”“Jyotis”“Savitr”——此诸名相当作“gocara”（行用之指示、作业标识）。由诸gocara之组合，可识别其kula（传承宗族/系属）；由此得以正确判定受灌顶者（dīkṣita）。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing Vashistha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Initiatory taxonomy: using specific technical markers (gocara terms) to identify kula/lineage and correctly classify an initiate within a Śaiva/Tantric system.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gocara-lakṣaṇa for kula-parijñāna (Kārya, Kha, Śiva, Śikhā, Jyotis, Savitr)","lookup_keywords":["gocara","kula","dīkṣita","śikhā","jyotis"],"quick_summary":"A fixed set of operative indicators called gocaras—named here as Kārya, Kha, Śiva, Śikhā, Jyotis, Savitr—serves to recognize the initiatory kula and thereby identify the dīkṣita accurately."}
Concept: Initiation is not merely personal but lineage-coded; correct recognition of kula through agreed markers preserves mantra integrity and ritual authorization.
Application: In dīkṣā administration or verification, use the stated gocara set as a checklist to avoid mixing lineages/mantras and to maintain procedural validity.
Khanda Section: Mantra- and Diksha-vidhi (Tantric/Pauranic initiation terminology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru instructs a disciple during initiation, pointing to a palm-leaf list of six gocara terms; behind them are symbolic emblems: sky/space (kha), flame/light (jyotis), sun (savitr), top-knot (śikhā), and Śiva sign.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru-disciple dīkṣā scene, palm-leaf manuscript with six terms, symbolic icons (sun, flame, space motif), temple interior austerity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and dīkṣita with gold accents on manuscript and sacred symbols, stylized sun (Savitr) and flame (Jyotis), ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic layout: six gocara terms visually separated, guru pointing, clean lines and soft shading, emphasis on taxonomy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly initiation setting, detailed manuscript calligraphy, symbolic objects arranged like a study, refined facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: savitraśceti = savitṛḥ + ca + iti (ḥ + c → śc); lakṣyastu = lakṣyaḥ + tu (ḥ → s before t). gocarantu read as gocaram + tu (orthographic fusion in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana dīkṣā-vidhi and mantra-nyāsa discussions in the same ritual cluster (early/mid 320s)
FAQs
It teaches a technical method of recognizing an initiate’s tradition (kula) using defined “gocara” markers—specific terms/syllables and identifiers (e.g., śikhā, jyotis, savitr) treated as operative indicators in initiation discourse.
Beyond myth, it preserves a compact ritual taxonomy—how lineages are classified and how initiates are identified—showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of practical religious-technical knowledge (mantra/dīkṣā vocabulary and procedural identification).
Correctly identifying the dīkṣita and their kula safeguards ritual correctness (adhikāra), preventing misapplication of mantras/rites and thereby supporting purity, efficacy, and the intended religious merit of the initiation.