Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
तत्पुरत इति ख रात्रावित्यादिः, सत्यज इत्य् अन्तः पाठः ग पुस्तके नास्ति मर्दयन्तु च मे शत्रूनिति घ , ञ च अवन्तु मां स्वभृत्यो ऽहमिति ज , ट च चामूनां पृष्ठतो गत्वा रिपुनाशा नमो ऽस्तु वः विनिवृत्तः प्रदास्यामि दत्तादभ्यधिकं बलिं
tatpurata iti kha rātrāvityādiḥ, satyaja ity antaḥ pāṭhaḥ ga pustake nāsti mardayantu ca me śatrūniti gha , ña ca avantu māṃ svabhṛtyo 'hamiti ja , ṭa ca cāmūnāṃ pṛṣṭhato gatvā ripunāśā namo 'stu vaḥ vinivṛttaḥ pradāsyāmi dattādabhyadhikaṃ baliṃ
“‘在其前方’——为Kha本之读法；‘于夜间’等——为另一异读。末尾‘satyaja’一语，Ga写本不载。‘并愿其摧灭我之仇敌’——Gha与Ña作此读。‘愿其护佑我；我乃其自家仆从’——Ja与Ṭa作此读。‘行至军阵（cāmū）之后，噫，灭敌者，向汝等致敬。待我（平安）归来，当献上较先前所献更为丰厚之bali供献。’”
Textual redactor/commentarial voice preserving manuscript variants within the Agni Purana transmission (within Agni’s instructional discourse context).
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Text-critical and recensional guidance for correct mantra-reading (pāṭha-bheda), ensuring ritual efficacy and avoiding errors in protective/battle rites; also includes a bali-vow formula.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pāṭha-bheda Notes and Bali-vow in Rakṣā-kavaca Context","lookup_keywords":["pāṭha-bheda","recension","rakṣā-kavaca","bali","cāmū"],"quick_summary":"Records variant readings across manuscripts/recensions for a protective-battle formula and adds a vow: after moving behind the army and returning safely, the practitioner will offer an increased bali—highlighting both philological care and ritual reciprocity."}
Concept: Mantra-śuddhi and ṛṇa/reciprocity: correct wording matters; offerings repay divine assistance after successful protection.
Application: Choose a consistent, lineage-validated reading; after success, fulfill bali-vows promptly to maintain ritual integrity and social trust.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi and Raksha-kavacha (Protective rites and enemy-subduing incantations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar comparing palm-leaf manuscripts with marginal notes (Kha, Ga, Gha, Ña, Ja, Ṭa), while a warrior prepares to move behind the army; later, a bali offering is presented in gratitude.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-scene: left, a manuscript-copyist with palm leaves and ink; right, troops in formation with a figure moving behind them, and a small bali altar; bold outlines, traditional mural palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a ritualist holding a manuscript with gold-highlighted Devanagari, beside a bali altar with offerings; background shows stylized army ranks; gold embossing on manuscript border and altar flames.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: clear depiction of manuscript variants in margins, a labeled diagram of troop formation (front/rear), and a bali-offering sequence; delicate lines, didactic layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a learned pandit and a commander consulting a manuscript before battle; marginalia visible; later vignette of offering at a small shrine; fine calligraphy-like detail and courtly realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: This item is a critical apparatus with variant readings and sigla (kha, ga, gha, ña, ja, ṭa). Key sandhi: namo 'stu = namaḥ astu; svabhṛtyo 'ham = sva-bhṛtyaḥ aham; dattādabhyadhikam = dattāt abhyadhikam; śaraṇaṅgataḥ-type nasalization appears elsewhere. Some tokens function as editorial labels rather than verse words.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (rakṣā-mantra, yuddha-prayoga, bali context)
FAQs
It preserves a protective/propitiatory formula: invoking “enemy-destroyers,” seeking protection, and promising an increased bali-offering upon safe return—along with noting key manuscript variant readings for correct recitation.
Beyond ritual content, it reflects the Purana’s practical breadth by combining raksha-mantra usage (protective rite tied to warfare/return) with a record of textual transmission (variant readings), showing both applied religion and preservation of liturgical accuracy.
It frames protection and victory as dependent on reverence (namas), disciplined recitation, and fulfilled vows (bali). Keeping the promise of an enhanced offering reinforces reciprocity with protective powers and supports ritual purity and merit.