Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 22
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
श्वेता रक्ता सिता पीता श्यामा वह्निनिभाषिता कृष्णारुणाश् च ताः शक्तीर्ज्वालारूपाः स्मरेत् क्रमात्
śvetā raktā sitā pītā śyāmā vahninibhāṣitā kṛṣṇāruṇāś ca tāḥ śaktīrjvālārūpāḥ smaret kramāt
ক্রমে সেই শক্তিগুলির ধ্যান করবে—শ্বেত, রক্ত, সিত (ধবল), পীত, শ্যামা, অগ্নিসদৃশ দীপ্তিময়, এবং কৃষ্ণারুণ; তাদের জ্বালারূপ বলে কল্পনা করবে।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing a sage (commonly Vashistha in framing tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Dhyana-krama: sequential visualization of Shaktis by color and radiance (jvālā-rūpa) to energize mantra-japa and internal nyasa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śakti-dhyāna by Varṇa (Color) as Jvālā-rūpa","lookup_keywords":["shakti dhyana","varna","jvala-rupa","white red yellow","krishnaruna"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on the Shaktis in a fixed order by their colors—white, red, pale, yellow, dark, fire-bright, and blackish-reddish—imagining each as flame-like radiance to intensify mantra efficacy."}
Concept: Varṇa and tejas are yogic supports (ālambana) for concentrating consciousness; ordered visualization trains the mind into one-pointedness.
Application: During japa, cycle through the colors without strain, holding each as a steady flame; use the sequence to prevent distraction and deepen absorption.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-mantra (Shakti-dhyana and Jvala-kalpa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vertical or circular sequence of seven flame-forms, each a different color (white, red, pale, yellow, dark, fire-bright, blackish-reddish), rising from a yantra at the base as the meditator sits in dhyana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized flames in distinct bands of color emerging from a yantra, meditating yogin in profile, bold outlines, temple-lamp glow, sacred geometry integrated into the background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, seven flame-auras rendered with gold highlights, central yantra embossed in gold, deep jewel tones for each flame, devotional symmetry, ornate border work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean gradations for each flame color, diagrammatic labels, calm meditator, emphasis on sequence and clarity, minimal ornate background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate translucent flames in layered washes, seated ascetic with rosary, fine calligraphy naming colors, intricate carpet and margin florals"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaktīrjvālārūpāḥ → śaktīḥ jvālā-rūpāḥ (visarga → r before j); kṛṣṇāruṇāś → kṛṣṇa-aruṇāḥ; vahni-nibhāṣitā treated as compound/kridanta.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Shakti-dhyana/Jvala-kalpa context)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna-krama (ordered visualization) for worship: meditate on multiple Shaktis as flame-forms, identified by distinct colors and fire-like radiance.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual-technology—codifying visualization sequences and iconographic color-specifications used in tantric-leaning puja and mantra practice alongside its many other disciplines.
Ordered remembrance (smaraṇa/dhyāna) of flame-like Shaktis is taught as a concentrative purification practice, aligning the worshipper’s mind with Agni’s transformative power and strengthening ritual efficacy.