Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Pratiṣṭhā-Kalaśa-Śodhana-Ukti (Instruction on Purifying the Consecration Pitcher) — Chapter 85
विमलश्चाट्टहासश् च महेन्द्रो भाम एव च वस्वापदं रुद्रकोटिरवियुक्तो महावन्तः
vimalaścāṭṭahāsaś ca mahendro bhāma eva ca vasvāpadaṃ rudrakoṭiraviyukto mahāvantaḥ
هو فيمالا (الطاهر من الدنس) وهو آṭṭahāsa (ذو الضحك المدوي كالرعد)؛ وهو ماهيندرا وبها ما؛ وهو فاسفابادا (مقام الفاسو)؛ وهو رودراكوتي، وأفييوكتا (غير المنفصل/غير المنقطع)، وماهافانتا (العظيم الجبار).
Lord Agni (narrating a stotra section in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nāma-saṅkīrtana for Śiva/Rudra worship: used in japa, archana, and protective remembrance; supports liturgical sequencing of epithets.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra-nāma: Vimala–Āṭṭahāsa–Rudrakoṭi–Aviyukta etc.","lookup_keywords":["Vimala","Āṭṭahāsa","Rudrakoṭi","Aviyukta","Śiva-nāma"],"quick_summary":"A chain of Rudra epithets highlighting purity, awe-inspiring power, cosmic multiplicity, and unfailing presence. Practical for focused meditation: contemplate one attribute per name during recitation."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (phonetic recurrence in nāma-listing)
Concept: The divine is approached through attributes: purity (vimala), terrifying grace (āṭṭahāsa), immanence (aviyukta), and cosmic plenitude (rudrakoṭi).
Application: Use as dhyāna-japa: inhale on the name, exhale contemplating its meaning; employ for fear-removal and steadiness of mind.
Khanda Section: Nama-stotra / Deva-nama-sankirtana (Litany of Divine Names—Rudra-epithets)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Śiva presence: half serene and half fierce—spotless white aura (Vimala), thunderous laughter (Āṭṭahāsa) echoing in the sky, countless Rudra forms appearing like a constellation (Rudrakoṭi), an unbroken thread of light signifying Aviyukta.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central Śiva with luminous pale aura, expressive fierce smile, surrounding small Rudra figures in circular mandala, traditional reds/ochres/greens, temple-lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Śiva with gold halo and embossed ornaments, concentric rings of miniature Rudras in gold relief, dramatic Āṭṭahāsa expression, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework showing a mandala of many Rudras around a calm central Śiva, subtle shading, emphasis on symbolic labels for each epithet.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, celestial scene with clouds and lightning, Śiva laughing, multiple emanations rendered as repeated figures fading into distance, fine detailing and calligraphy for names."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विमलश्च = विमलः च; चाट्टहासश् = च + आट्टहासः (conjunction + vowel coalescence); महेन्द्रो = महेन्द्रः; रुद्रकोटिरवियुक्तो = रुद्रकोटिः अवियुक्तः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 85 (Rudra-nāma sequences continuing in subsequent verses)
FAQs
This verse functions as nama-sankirtana (ritual recitation of divine epithets): it teaches the specific Rudra-names to be used in stotra/japa as a devotional and purificatory practice.
By preserving a structured catalogue of divine names (a stotra-genre resource used in worship, japa, and liturgy), it documents practical devotional technology alongside the Purana’s broader subjects.
Reciting and remembering these Rudra-epithets is presented in Purāṇic practice as a means of inner purification (vimala), steadiness in devotion (aviyukta), and accumulation of religious merit through focused praise of Śiva/Rudra.