Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
Rudra-śānti (रुद्रशान्ति)
द्विचतुःषण्मुखं शस्तमव्रणं तीव्रकण्ठकं दक्षवाहौ शिखादौ च धारयेच्चतुराननं
dvicatuḥṣaṇmukhaṃ śastamavraṇaṃ tīvrakaṇṭhakaṃ dakṣavāhau śikhādau ca dhārayeccaturānanaṃ
দুই, চাৰি বা ছয় মুখীয়া প্ৰশংসিত দেৱৰূপক অব্ৰণ, নিৰ্দোষ আৰু তীক্ষ্ণ কণ্ঠযুক্ত বুলি ধ্যান/স্থাপন কৰিব লাগে। লগতে চতুৰানন (ব্ৰহ্মা) ৰূপ ডান বাহুত আৰু শিখা আদি ঊৰ্ধ্ব স্থানত ধাৰণ/স্থাপন কৰিব।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for visualization/installation of multi-faced deity forms and their placement on the body (aṅga-nyāsa/adhyāsa style) during worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mukha-bheda and aṅga-sthāpana (2/4/6-faced; Brahmā on right arm, śikhā etc.)","lookup_keywords":["dvīmukha","caturmukha","ṣaṇmukha","aṅga-sthāpana","śikhā"],"quick_summary":"The worship-form is praised as 2-, 4-, or 6-faced, unblemished and intense-throated; the four-faced form (Brahmā) is assigned to the right arm and upper points like the top-knot, indicating a mapped ritual placement."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is supported by correct dhyāna (form-visualization) and nyāsa-like placement, aligning body-space with deity-space.
Application: During pūjā, keep the imagined/installed form free of defects and follow prescribed placements to maintain ritual coherence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography and ritual placement of deities)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram-like scene: a worshipper visualizes a multi-faced deity (2/4/6 faces) glowing, while indicating the right arm and top-knot as placement points; Brahmā’s four-faced form is shown as a smaller emblem on the right arm region.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized multi-faced deity with clear mukha count, worshipper in profile touching right arm and śikhā, sacred red-yellow palette, minimal temple interior cues","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central multi-faced deity with ornate crowns, gold work emphasizing faces and neck ornaments, smaller Brahmā emblem on right arm, symmetrical devotional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: labeled-like placement gestures (right arm, śikhā), clean lines, soft colors, emphasis on iconographic correctness","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine facial detailing for 2/4/6-faced variants, intimate indoor ritual setting, precise hand gestures indicating body loci"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhārayeccaturānanam = dhārayet + caturānanam (t + c → cc).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on mūrti-lakṣaṇa and pūjā-vidhi (nearby chapters in the 320s)
FAQs
It gives murti-dhyana/nyasa-style instructions: the deity may be contemplated with 2/4/6 faces, must be visualized as unblemished, and the four-faced Brahmā is ritually placed/assigned to specific body locations such as the right arm and the śikhā (top-knot).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s technical coverage of ritual science—iconographic standards (murti-lakṣaṇa) and practical worship operations (nyāsa/placement)—alongside its many other domains like polity, medicine, and poetics.
Correct visualization and placement of deity-forms is taught as a means to purify worship, stabilize concentration, and align the practitioner’s body with divine presences, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and ritual efficacy.