Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 34
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
नृणां रोमाञ्चजननी वाहनानां भयप्रदा ज्वालानला सूर्यमुखी विज्ञेया भयवर्धनी
nṛṇāṃ romāñcajananī vāhanānāṃ bhayapradā jvālānalā sūryamukhī vijñeyā bhayavardhanī
তিনি মানুষের মধ্যে রোমাঞ্চ উৎপন্নকারী এবং বাহন ও আরোহীদের ভয় প্রদানকারী। ‘জ্বালানলা’ (শিখা ও অগ্নি) এবং ‘সূর্যমুখী’ নামে পরিচিতা তিনি ভয়বর্ধিনী বলে জ্ঞেয়।
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s instructional material to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/terrific Devī-name contemplation in nyāsa or kavaca contexts to induce fear in adversaries and stabilize the practitioner’s resolve.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī nāma-litanī: Jvālānalā and Sūryamukhī as fear-increasing forms","lookup_keywords":["Devī","Jvālānalā","Sūryamukhī","bhaya","romāñca"],"quick_summary":"The verse identifies fierce Devī epithets whose contemplation is said to generate horripilation and fear, functioning as a bhaya-vardhana (terror-increasing) protective power."}
Concept: Śakti as both protective and terrifying; nāma-rūpa contemplation is treated as efficacious power (śabda-śakti).
Application: Use these epithets in controlled ritual contexts (nyāsa/kavaca/japa) to cultivate fearlessness in oneself and deterrence toward threats; avoid casual use that agitates the mind.
Khanda Section: Tantra / Shakti-Mantra-vidya (Protective and fear-inducing Devī forms; mantra-nyāsa and deity-name litany)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing, sun-faced Devī radiating flames; men and animals/vehicles recoil in fear; the atmosphere is incandescent and protective yet terrifying.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fierce Devī with sun-disc face and flame aura, red-orange palette, attendants recoiling, stylized fire motifs, bold eyes, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with heavy gold halo like a sun, embossed flames, Devī in ugra posture, rich ornaments, subdued fearful figures at the bottom edge.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework: Devī labeled Jvālānalā/Sūryamukhī, diagrammatic nyāsa cues (body points) subtly indicated, controlled fiery glow.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic chiaroscuro with flames, sun-faced goddess central, frightened horses/elephants turning away, fine detailing of fire and jewelry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: romāñcajananī → romāñca-jananī; bhayapradā → bhaya-pradā; jvālānalā → jvālā-analā; sūryamukhī → sūrya-mukhī; bhayavardhanī → bhaya-vardhanī.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Tantra sections on Devī-nāma, nyāsa, kavaca, and rakṣā-vidhi
FAQs
It provides identifying epithets and functional attributes of a Devī-form used in mantra-vidyā: a blazing, sun-radiant power that induces भय (fear) and overwhelms opponents (even their mounts/vehicles), useful in protective or subjugating ritual contexts.
Alongside topics like law, polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also catalogs mantra-vidyā through concise deity-name litanies that encode ritual “functions” (e.g., fear-induction, protection), showing its wide spectrum of applied religious knowledge.
Contemplating and invoking such Devī-forms is framed as harnessing divine śakti for dharmic protection and removal of hostile forces; when used with restraint and right intent, it is treated as a means of safeguarding oneself and maintaining order.