Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 21
Chapter 347: One-syllable Appellations (एकाक्षराभिधानम्)
ओंगं स्वाहा मूलमन्त्रो ऽयं गं वा गणपतये नमः षडङ्गो रक्तशुक्लश् च दन्ताक्षपरशूतकटः
oṃgaṃ svāhā mūlamantro 'yaṃ gaṃ vā gaṇapataye namaḥ ṣaḍaṅgo raktaśuklaś ca dantākṣaparaśūtakaṭaḥ
“唵 gaṃ 娑嚩訶（svāhā）”——此为根本真言；或可诵“gaṃ，敬礼伽那主（Gaṇapati）”。其六支安置（aṅga-nyāsa）之相，红白相间；执象牙、念珠、斧与钩（aṅkuśa）。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Gaṇeśa-ārādhana for obstacle-removal: japa of mūla-mantra, aṅga-nyāsa, and dhyāna with specified iconographic attributes before pūjā/homa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Gaṇapati Mūla-mantra and Aṅga-nyāsa Dhyāna-lakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["oṃ gaṃ svāhā","gaṃ gaṇapataye namaḥ","ṣaḍaṅga nyāsa","rakta-śukla gaṇeśa","dantākṣa paraśu aṅkuśa"],"quick_summary":"Gives the root-mantra options for Gaṇapati and the dhyāna-form used with ṣaḍaṅga (aṅga-nyāsa), specifying color and hand-attributes for worship."}
Concept: Mantra is paired with form (rūpa) through nyāsa and dhyāna; correct visualization and attributes stabilize worship.
Application: Before starting any rite, perform Gaṇeśa-japa with aṅga-nyāsa and meditate on the specified form to remove ritual impediments.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-tantra and Deva-upasana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper performs aṅga-nyāsa while visualizing Gaṇapati in red-and-white hue, holding a rosary, axe, and goad, with a prominent tusk; altar with flowers and lamp.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy reds and greens, Gaṇapati rakta-śukla complexion, four-armed with akṣamālā, paraśu, aṅkuśa, prominent tusk, devotee doing nyāsa gestures, oil-lamp and lotus motifs, bold outlines, sacred aura","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Gaṇapati seated on ornate pedestal, red-and-white body tones, gold foil halo and jewelry, akṣamālā-paraśu-aṅkuśa in hands, rich textile backdrop, small devotee at bottom performing nyāsa, temple lamp gleam","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional composition showing devotee’s hand-positions for ṣaḍaṅga-nyāsa beside Gaṇapati icon with labeled attributes (rosary, axe, goad), calm shrine setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing, shrine interior with patterned carpet, Gaṇapati depicted respectfully with red-white tones and attributes, priest performing nyāsa mudrās, incense smoke, manuscript-like margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mūlamantro 'yaṃ = mūla-mantraḥ ayam; raktaśuklaś ca = rakta-śuklaḥ ca; dantākṣa... = danta-akṣa-...; oṃgaṃ treated as mantra-bīja oṃ + gaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 347 (Pūjā-vidhi: Gaṇeśa-upāsanā sequence); Agni Purana 347.22-347.23 (nāma-mantras and homa mantras)
FAQs
It gives the Gaṇapati mūla-mantra (root mantra) and indicates ṣaḍaṅga practice (sixfold aṅga-nyāsa), along with the deity’s identifying iconographic attributes for correct ritual visualization.
Beyond narrative, it preserves applied ritual technology—seed syllables, oblation formulas, nyāsa conventions, and iconographic markers—showing the Purāṇa’s role as a compendium of practical worship manuals (pūjā-vidhi) alongside theology.
Gaṇapati-mantra japa and correct nyāsa/visualization are traditionally taught as obstacle-removing (vighna-nāśa) and purity-enhancing practices, supporting successful commencement of rites and auspicious outcomes.