Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 30
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
शार्ङ्गाक्षवलयधरः पाशाङ्कुशधरः परः स्वर्णवर्णः श्वेतवर्णः सश्रोवत्सः सकौस्तुभः
śārṅgākṣavalayadharaḥ pāśāṅkuśadharaḥ paraḥ svarṇavarṇaḥ śvetavarṇaḥ saśrovatsaḥ sakaustubhaḥ
তেওঁ শাৰ্ঙ্গ ধনু আৰু বাহুবলয় ধাৰণ কৰে, পাশ আৰু অঙ্কুশো ধৰে; তেওঁ পৰম। তেওঁৰ বৰ্ণ স্বৰ্ণময় আৰু দীপ্ত শ্বেত; বক্ষে শ্ৰীৱৎস চিহ্ন আৰু কৌস্তুভ মণিৰে ভূষিত।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Use as dhyāna-lakṣaṇa to fix Viṣṇu’s specific weapons, ornaments, color, and auspicious marks during pūjā and mantra-japa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Viṣṇu Dhyāna-Lakṣaṇa: Śārṅga, Pāśa-Aṅkuśa, Śrīvatsa, Kaustubha, Varṇa","lookup_keywords":["śārṅga","pāśa","aṅkuśa","śrīvatsa","kaustubha"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates Viṣṇu’s identifying attributes—bow, armlets, noose, goad, golden/white radiance, Śrīvatsa and Kaustubha—serving as a checklist for correct visualization and iconographic accuracy."}
Weapon Type: Bow (Śārṅga)
Concept: Guṇa-lakṣaṇa-dhyāna: contemplating auspicious marks and divine implements to stabilize bhakti and ekāgratā.
Application: During dhyāna, mentally verify each marker (Śrīvatsa/Kaustubha/varṇa/āyudha) to keep the image consistent and vivid.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dhyana–Lakshana of the Deity / Iconography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close iconographic portrait of Viṣṇu: Śārṅga bow visible, pāśa and aṅkuśa in hands, armlets on arms, chest bearing Śrīvatsa and Kaustubha jewel, body glowing golden-white.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal Viṣṇu with emphasized chest symbols (Śrīvatsa, Kaustubha), stylized bow Śārṅga, pāśa and aṅkuśa, luminous golden-white skin tones rendered in traditional palette, ornate armlets","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented Viṣṇu with gold foil highlighting Kaustubha and jewelry, Śrīvatsa clearly marked, weapons arranged symmetrically, radiant golden-white complexion, embossed halo","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise iconographic detailing of pāśa and aṅkuśa, clean depiction of Śrīvatsa and Kaustubha placement, soft gradients for golden-white radiance, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined depiction of jewelry and chest emblems, delicate rendering of bow and implements, subtle gold highlights, pale luminous complexion, patterned textile background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śārṅgākṣavalayadharaḥ = शार्ङ्ग-अक्ष-वलय-धरः; pāśāṅkuśadharaḥ = पाश-अङ्कुश-धरः; saśrovatsaḥ read as स-श्रीवत्सः (orthographic/recensional variation: śrīvatsa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373.29-33 (Viṣṇu dhyāna and japa-dhyāna method)
FAQs
It gives dhyāna–lakṣaṇa (iconographic cues) for worship: the deity is visualized with specific weapons/attributes (Śārṅga, pāśa, aṅkuśa) and identifying marks (Śrīvatsa, Kaustubha), aiding correct meditative installation (āvāhana) and contemplation.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical ritual-technical data—murti-lakṣaṇa and dhyāna descriptions used in temple art, mantra-sādhana, and pūjā manuals—showing the text’s role as a compendium of applied religious knowledge.
Accurate visualization of the deity’s form is treated as a purifier and concentrator of mind (ekāgratā), supporting devotion and correct worship; it is traditionally held to generate merit (puṇya) through properly aligned dhyāna and reverence.