Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
चन्द्रा चन्द्रावली चैव प्रपञ्चा प्रलयान्तिका शिशुवक्त्रा पिशाची च पिशिताशा च लोलुपा
candrā candrāvalī caiva prapañcā pralayāntikā śiśuvaktrā piśācī ca piśitāśā ca lolupā
Chandrā, Chandrāvalī, Prapañcā, Pralayāntikā, Śiśuvaktrā, Piśācī, Piśitāśā und Lolupā—auch dies sind ihre Namen.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s ritual/namavali material) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective recitation (raksha) and ritual identification of specific Matrika/Yogini powers through nāma-japa within Devi-pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mātrikā/Yoginī Nāma—Chandrā to Lolupā","lookup_keywords":["Chandrā","Pralayāntikā","Piśācī","Mātrikā-nāma","rakṣā-mantra"],"quick_summary":"A name-list used as a protective and empowering recitation in Devi-oriented ritual. The names encode distinct functions—lunar auspiciousness, dissolution, fierce protection, and hunger/consumption motifs."}
Concept: Nāma as śakti—invocation through enumerated epithets to activate specific protective functions of Devi.
Application: Use the name-list in japa/nyāsa/rakṣā sequences to establish a protective perimeter and align the sādhaka with the invoked śaktis.
Khanda Section: Devi-Puja & Tantra (Matrika/ Yogini-Nama; Raksha-Mantra context)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual scene where a sādhaka recites a Yoginī/Mātrikā name-list before a Devi yantra or mandala; shadowy fierce feminine forms appear as protective presences around the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: Devi-pūjā with a yantra on a low altar, oil lamps, priest reciting; around the sanctum, eight subtle Yoginī silhouettes labeled Chandrā, Chandrāvalī, Prapañcā, Pralayāntikā, Śiśuvaktrā, Piśācī, Piśitāśā, Lolupā; earthy reds, ochres, strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Devi yantra with ornate arch, gold leaf highlights; priest in profile chanting; small medallions around with the eight names in Devanāgarī; rich jewel tones, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clean linework, instructional composition—altar, rosary, manuscript; eight name-panels arranged symmetrically; soft shading, restrained palette, emphasis on clarity of ritual objects.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly interior adapted as a ritual chamber; a learned sādhaka reading from a manuscript; delicate borders; faint ethereal feminine figures around, each with a captioned name; fine detailing and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (Mātrikā/Yoginī-nāma and rakṣā context); Agni Purana sections on Devi-pūjā/nyāsa/dhyāna in adjacent chapters
FAQs
It supplies a set of Devi-epithets used for namajapa/namavali-style recitation in protective and esoteric worship contexts.
By cataloging specialized divine names—ranging from auspicious (radiant, cosmic) to fierce (piśāca-like, flesh-desiring)—it preserves ritual-taxonomy used across mantra, protection rites, and Devi-upasana traditions.
Recitation and remembrance of these names is traditionally held to invoke the goddess’s protective power, subduing fear, negativity, and harmful influences through devotional-identificatory japa.