Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Abhiṣeka-Ādi-Kathana
Consecratory Bathing and Related Rites
त्रिमूर्तमेकरुद्राक्षमेकनेत्रं शिवोत्तमं सप्तमं सूक्ष्मनामानमनन्तं रुद्रमष्टमं
trimūrtamekarudrākṣamekanetraṃ śivottamaṃ saptamaṃ sūkṣmanāmānamanantaṃ rudramaṣṭamaṃ
السابع هو (رُدرا) ذو «الثلاثة الأشكال» (تريمورتي)؛ وحامل رُدراكشا واحدة؛ وذو العين الواحدة؛ شِفَا الأعلى. والثامن هو رُدرا المسمّى «سوكشما-نامان» (ذو الاسم اللطيف) و«أنَنْتَه» (اللامتناهي).
Lord Agni (narrating the Rudra names within Agni Purana’s instruction to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Contemplative japa/arcana using Rudra epithets as dhyāna-nāma for visualization and inner alignment during Śaiva worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra-nāma: Tri-mūrta, Eka-rudrākṣa, Eka-netra, Śivottama; Sūkṣma-nāman, Ananta","lookup_keywords":["Rudra-nāma","Tri-mūrta","Eka-netra","Sūkṣma-nāman","Ananta Rudra"],"quick_summary":"The verse supplies a compact set of Rudra epithets for the 7th and 8th positions in a naming/meditative sequence. Use the names as dhyāna handles—form (trimūrta), sign (rudrākṣa), vision (one-eyed), supremacy, subtle naming, and infinity."}
Alamkara Type: Bahuvrīhi (epithetic compounds)
Concept: One reality expressed through multiple aspects—form (trimūrta), perception (eka-netra), subtlety (sūkṣma), and infinity (ananta).
Application: During japa, cycle through the epithets as successive contemplations: from manifest functions to subtle name-form dissolution into the infinite.
Khanda Section: Rudra-Nama-Stotra / Shaiva-Upasana (Rudra epithets and contemplative naming)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditative depiction of Rudra with symbolic overlays: threefold aspect (trimūrta), a single eye motif, rudrākṣa bead emphasis, and an infinite aura representing Ananta; a devotee reciting names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal Śiva/Rudra with stylized single eye, threefold emblem behind (Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva suggestion), rudrākṣa garland prominent, expansive circular aura for Ananta, devotee seated in japa, temple lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented Śiva with gold aureole, rudrākṣa beads rendered with raised work, symbolic trimūrti panel behind, single-eye emblem on forehead region, infinite halo rings, devotional posture","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional iconography: labels for Tri-mūrta, Eka-netra, Sūkṣma-nāman, Ananta; devotee with mālā; soft pastel background, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet spiritual setting, ascetic devotee reciting, Rudra appearing in a vision-cloud with single-eye motif and vast halo, fine detailing of beads and textiles, calligraphic name captions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिमूर्तमेकरुद्राक्षमेकनेत्रं = त्रिमूर्तम् + एकरुद्राक्षम् + एकनेत्रम्; शिवोत्तमं = शिव + उत्तमम्; सूक्ष्मनामानमनन्तं = सूक्ष्मनामानम् + अनन्तम्; रुद्रमष्टमं = रुद्रम् + अष्टमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 90 (Rudra-nāma-stotra sequence)
FAQs
It supplies specific Rudra-epithets for structured nāma-japa and dhyāna: meditating on Rudra as Trimūrti (cosmic functions), Ekanetra (single all-seeing eye), and as the subtle/infinite reality—used as contemplative identifiers in Shaiva recitation practice.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and architecture, the Agni Purana also preserves liturgical technology—name-lists (nāmāvalī), deity-iconology, and theological descriptors—showing it functions as a practical compendium for ritual, devotion, and meditation.
Reciting and contemplating these names is presented as a purifying Shaiva practice: it focuses the mind on Shiva’s supreme, subtle, and infinite nature, supporting inner purification and devotional merit (puṇya) through disciplined remembrance (smaraṇa/japa).