Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 17
Chapter 370: नरकनिरूपणम्
Naraka-nirūpaṇa) — Description of Hell (with the physiology of dying and the subtle transition
पद्मावती भीषणा च भीमा चैव करालिका विकराला महावज्रा त्रिकोणा पञ्चकोणिका
padmāvatī bhīṣaṇā ca bhīmā caiva karālikā vikarālā mahāvajrā trikoṇā pañcakoṇikā
(তেওঁৰ নাম) পদ্মাৱতী, ভীষণা (ভয়ংকৰী), ভীমা (প্ৰবল), কৰালিকা (বিকটমুখী), বিকৰালা (অতিভয়ংকৰী), মহাবজ্ৰা (মহাবজ্ৰধাৰিণী), ত্ৰিকোণা আৰু পঞ্চকোণিকা।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual/theological material to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Using specific Devī-nāmas (including geometric epithets) for yantra-based worship: trikoṇa and pañcakoṇa cues guide diagram selection in pūjā/nyāsa and protective installations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī Nāmas with Yantra-Ākṛti Epithets (Trikoṇā, Pañcakoṇikā)","lookup_keywords":["Trikoṇā","Pañcakoṇikā","Mahāvajrā","Padmāvatī","Devī-nāma"],"quick_summary":"A litany of Devī forms ranging from fierce to vajra-like power, including names that encode geometric shapes used in yantra visualization and ritual layout."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (karālikā/vikarālā)
Concept: Śakti is approached both as form (mūrti-bhāva) and as structure (yantra-ākṛti); geometry becomes a devotional interface.
Application: In yantra-pūjā, choose trikoṇa/pentagonal enclosures and visualize Devī accordingly; in kavaca/nyāsa, recite these names to invoke vajra-like protection.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devi-nama-stotra (Tantric-ritual nomenclature section)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yantra altar where the Devī is invoked through both anthropomorphic fierce forms and geometric emblems: a glowing triangle and pentagon inscribed with mantras, with Mahāvajrā holding a thunderbolt.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fierce Devī with vajra, beside luminous trikoṇa and pañcakoṇa yantra shapes, bold reds, ochres, black outlines, ritual paraphernalia (kalasha, lamp), stylized flames","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Padmāvatī seated on lotus with gold foil, Mahāvajrā holding vajra, geometric yantra panels (triangle and pentagon) rendered with gold highlights, ornate frame and arch","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional yantra-pūjā scene, clear depiction of triangle and pentagon diagrams with mantra syllables, priest performing nyāsa, soft palette and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, manuscript folio showing a sādhaka drawing a triangle and pentagon yantra on a board, fierce goddess apparition above, fine calligraphy labels for Trikoṇā and Pañcakoṇikā"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved: चैव = च + एव. Compounds: पद्मावती, विकराल, महावज्र, त्रिकोण, पञ्चकोणिका.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 370 (Devi-nāma and pūjā-vidhi context)
FAQs
It provides specific epithets/forms of the Goddess used for mantra-japa and ritual invocation, including yantra-linked designations like ‘Trikoṇā’ and ‘Pañcakoṇikā’ that can guide visualization in worship.
By cataloging precise divine names and iconographic/yantric identifiers, it preserves practical liturgical data (names for recitation, meditation-forms, ritual focus), illustrating how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of worship-technology alongside other subjects.
Reciting and contemplating these names is traditionally held to invoke protection, remove obstacles and fear, and concentrate the mind on the Goddess’s power (śakti), yielding merit through disciplined devotion and focused remembrance.