Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
अजैकपादहिर्व्रध्रो धूमकेतुश् च रुद्रजाः रुद्रका इति ग , घ , ङ , ञ च भरतश् च तथा मृत्युः कापालिरथ किङ्किणिः
ajaikapādahirvradhro dhūmaketuś ca rudrajāḥ rudrakā iti ga , gha , ṅa , ña ca bharataś ca tathā mṛtyuḥ kāpāliratha kiṅkiṇiḥ
ذُكر أَجَيكَپادا (Ajaikapāda) وأَهِربُدهنيا (Ahirbudhnya) ودهوماكيتو (Dhūmaketu) والكائنات المولودة من رودرا؛ وكذلك المسمَّون رودراكا (Rudraka)—المصنَّفون تحت مجموعات الحروف ga وgha وṅa وña—وكذلك بهاراتا (Bharata)، ومعه مِرتيو (Mṛtyu) وكاپالي (Kāpāli) وكينكيني (Kiṅkiṇi).
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic compendium material to Sage Vasiṣṭha, per the Agni Purāṇa’s dominant dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rudra-nāma smaraṇa for protection, warding off fear/death-omens, and invoking fierce guardianship; also used in śiva-upāsanā and rakṣā-kavaca contexts.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra-name cluster: Ajaikapāda–Ahirbudhnya–Dhūmaketu–Kāpāli etc.","lookup_keywords":["Rudra names","Ajaikapāda","Ahirbudhnya","Dhūmaketu","Kāpāli"],"quick_summary":"A name-list drawing from Vedic Rudra forms and later Śaiva epithets; recitation functions as a protective and empowering stotra-element."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-mālā with varṇa-krama (alphabetical grouping hint: ga, gha, ṅa, ña)
Concept: Name as śakti: invoking Rudra’s manifold forms integrates fearsome energies into protection and inner steadiness against mṛtyu-bhaya (fear of death).
Application: Use in nightly rakṣā, during eclipses/inauspicious omens, or before undertaking austerities; cultivate fearlessness and restraint.
Khanda Section: Rudra-nama-nirdesha (Shiva/Rudra Sahasranama-style listing within Purana encyclopedic stotra-material)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A multi-form Rudra montage: one-footed Ajaikapāda, serpent-linked Ahirbudhnya rising from depths, Dhūmaketu with smoky comet-flame aura, and Kāpāli as skull-bearing ascetic; the names appear as letter-group banners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fierce Śiva aspects in four panels, bold eyes and ornaments, smoky Dhūmaketu aura, serpent motifs for Ahirbudhnya, cremation-ground cues for Kāpāli, Sanskrit name cartouches, ornate border","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Kāpāli Śiva with gold halo and skull-bowl, side medallions for Ajaikapāda and Dhūmaketu, heavy gold embossing for flames and ornaments, deep maroon background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework: four Rudra aspects arranged symmetrically with labeled letter-groups (ga gha ṅa ña), soft colors, devotional yet slightly fierce expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic night sky with comet (Dhūmaketu), ascetic Śiva with skull-bowl, serpent-emergent deity from waters, fine detailing, calligraphic labels and cloud bands"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अजैकपादहिर्व्रध्रो→अजैकपात् अहिः व्रध्रः; धूमकेतुश्→धूमकेतुः; भरतश्→भरतः; कापालिरथ→कापालिः अथ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (Rudra-nāma nirdesha within rakṣā/stotra materials)
FAQs
It provides nāma-recitation material: a structured listing of Rudra/Śiva epithets and Rudra-associated beings (gaṇas), useful for japa, stotra-pāṭha, and name-based worship.
By cataloging Vedic and Purāṇic Rudra-forms (e.g., Ajaikapāda, Ahirbudhnya) and organizing names via letter-groups, it preserves cross-traditional deity nomenclature in a reference-like format.
Name-recitation of Rudra/Śiva is traditionally held to purify speech and mind, invoke protection, and accrue merit (puṇya) through remembrance of divine attributes and forms.