138 - The six accessory acts relating to all mantras

The Lord said:

1-5. Ishall describe six acts (to be used) in all sacred syllables. Listen (to me). The sādhya (to be accomplished)should be written first being followed by the sacred syllable. This is known as the pallava (bud) andshould be used in all incantations. First the sacred syllable (is written), then the sådhya and then the sacred syllable. This is known as the yoga (combination). Thisshould be employed for the utsådhana (extinction) of one's race. The sacred syllable is written first and the sādhya is added at the middle and again the sacred syllable at the end. This tradition is (known as) the rodhaka (that which arrests) andshould be employed in stambhana (stupefying the faculties of the enemy). The sådhyashould be added at the bottom and top, left, right and middle. This is known as the sampuța (casket) andshould be employed in vasya (subjugation) andākarsha (attraction).

6. When the letters composing any particular sacred syllable are of the category of sådhya letters, that sacred syllable is known to be the first class. It is capable of attracting and subjugating (another person).

7. Two of the letters constituting the sacred syllable are written first and one sādhya letter afterwards. This is known to be the vidarbha andshould be made use of in attraction and sub-jugation.

8-10. The acts of akarshaņa etc. as also (in subduing) high fevershould be performed only in the spring. The term svähä (oblations) is auspicious in attraction and subjugation. The term namaskāra (obeisance)should be employed for peace and prosperity. The term vashat (should be made use of) for good health and in acts of attraction and subjugation. (The term) phat would be (used) for creating dissension, causing death and to break an auspicious one. The term vashat gives accomplishment in gains and initiation in sacred syllables.

11. You are Yama (god of death). You are the sovereign over the dead (Yamarája). You are of the form of time. You are the reign of righteousness. You quickly make dead this enemy offered by me.

12. The priest, who is the destroyer of the enemy,should say with pleased mind, "O Votary! Be calm! Ishall kill (him) with all my) efforts."

13-14. This gets accomplished after worshipping the god of death in white lotus and making oblations contemplating himself as Bhairava and Kuleśhvari (as remaining) at the centre. (The votary) would know in the night the result (of the incantation) on himself and the person (concerned). One would become the killer of his enemy by propitiating the (goddess) Durgā with the formula "O (goddess) Durga! Durgā! You are the guardian!” Oneshould kill the enemy by the repetition of letters "ha, sa, ksha, ma, la, va, ra and ya" sacred to (the goddess) Bhairavi.

Summary of chapter 138 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

The six classical tantric operations (ṣaṭkarman) are defined: śānti (pacification), vasīkaraṇa (attraction), stambhana (immobilization), vidveṣaṇa (sowing enmity), uccāṭana (uprooting), and māraṇa (causing death). Agni provides the general mantra-framework and ritual conditions for each, noting that only śānti and puṣṭi prayogas are freely permissible; the remaining four are hedged with strict conditions and warnings. The appropriate deities, colours, directions, and samidhs for each operation are listed. The text emphasizes that ṣaṭkarma used for adharmic ends results in the practitioner suffering the intended effect.