Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 39
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
यो मे राजन्नितीमान्तु दुःस्वप्नशमनीमृचं अध्वनि प्रस्थितो यस्तु पश्येच्छत्रूं समुत्थितं
yo me rājannitīmāntu duḥsvapnaśamanīmṛcaṃ adhvani prasthito yastu paśyecchatrūṃ samutthitaṃ
大王啊，凡启程远行者，诵我此能息除恶梦之ṛc偈；若见仇敌起而相向，当以此诵持为护身之法。
Lord Agni (instructing a king/royal interlocutor within Agni Purana’s discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Rajadharma & Raksha-Mantra","practical_application":"Travel-protection and countering fear/ill-omens by reciting a protective ṛc, especially when threatened by enemies or disturbed by bad dreams.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Duḥsvapna-śamana Rakṣā-ṛc for travelers and kings","lookup_keywords":["duḥsvapna-śamana","adhvayātrā-rakṣā","rājā-rakṣā","śatru-darśana","ṛc-japa"],"quick_summary":"A protective ṛc is prescribed for one setting out on a journey; it pacifies evil dreams and is to be used when enemies appear or rise against the traveler."}
Concept: Mantra as rakṣā: sound-discipline and remembrance as a shield against fear, ill-omens, and hostility.
Application: Adopt a consistent protective recitation before travel and at the moment of perceived threat to stabilize mind and invoke divine safeguarding.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Raksha-Mantra (Protective rites for kings and travelers)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler or royal envoy sets out on a road, reciting a protective ṛc; in the distance hostile figures rise, while an unseen protective aura surrounds the reciter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a king’s traveler with palm-leaf manuscript or prayer beads, reciting a raksha-ṛc on a forest road, shadowy enemies emerging, divine protective glow around the reciter, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure as a royal traveler with ornate jewelry, gold-leaf halo signifying mantra-protection, stylized enemies at the margins, rich reds and greens, temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional feel: traveler in profile chanting, text-scroll motif showing ‘duḥsvapna-śamana ṛc’, enemies depicted as approaching silhouettes, calm protective aura","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape road scene, traveler reciting softly, attendants alert, enemies rising behind a hill, subtle luminous wash around the reciter indicating protection"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजन्नितीमान्तु → राजन् + इति + मन्त्रु (पाठभेदसम्भावना); दुःस्वप्नशमनीमृचं → दुःस्वप्न-शमनीम् + ऋचम्; पश्येच्छत्रूं → पश्येत् + शत्रून्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Rakṣā-mantra / rājadharma context); Agni Purana sections on mantra-japa and homa-prayoga (nearby in the same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-prayoga: recitation of a specific ṛc/mantric verse used for duḥsvapna-śānti (appeasing evil dreams) and for protection when encountering enemies during travel.
Alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical applied knowledge—here, apotropaic mantra-technology for everyday risks (omens, journeys, hostile threats), reflecting its multi-disciplinary scope.
By using a sanctifying verse to neutralize ominous dreams and fear, the practitioner seeks śānti (peace) and rakṣā (protection), aligning the mind and circumstances toward dharmic safety rather than panic or harmful reaction.