Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
यमजिह्वा जयन्ती च दुर्जया च जयान्तिका विडाली रेवती चैव पूतना विजयान्तिका
yamajihvā jayantī ca durjayā ca jayāntikā viḍālī revatī caiva pūtanā vijayāntikā
Yamajihvā, Jayantī, Durjayā, Jayāntikā, Viḍālī, Revatī sowie Pūtanā und Vijayāntikā—dies sind die benannten Kräfte, die zum Schutz angerufen bzw. rezitiert werden.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instruction frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Rakṣā recitation invoking named śaktis (some associated with graha/child-affliction lore like Pūtanā/Revatī) to avert harm and secure victory.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rakṣā Nāma—Yamajihvā to Vijayāntikā","lookup_keywords":["Pūtanā","Revatī","Durjayā","Jayantī","rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"A protective list of fierce and victory-bestowing names; traditionally used to ward off malevolent forces and secure success (jaya/vijaya) in undertakings."}
Concept: Protective power is invoked through naming—jaya/vijaya epithets function as intentional anchors for overcoming obstacles and hostile forces.
Application: Use in kavaca-style recitation before travel, conflict, litigation, or vulnerable life-stages (childbirth/infancy) as a ritual protection layer.
Khanda Section: Raksha-Mantra & Matrika/Nama-vidhi (Protective deity-name enumeration within Agni Purana’s ritual-vidya stream)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective circle (rakṣā-maṇḍala) around a household/child; fierce feminine guardians at the eight directions; victory banners and protective seals inscribed with the names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: mother and child near a lamp-lit altar; eight directional guardians with fierce yet protective faces; inscriptions of Yamajihvā, Jayantī, Durjayā, Jayāntikā, Viḍālī, Revatī, Pūtanā, Vijayāntikā; strong reds and blacks, ritual geometry on the floor.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central protective Devi with gold arch; small directional panels showing the named śaktis; victory motifs (flags, conch, drum) and protective yantra rendered with embossed gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional household-rakṣā scene—floor mandala, thread/amulet, manuscript; labeled guardians in corners; calm composition emphasizing protection.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: domestic courtyard with a ritualist drawing a mandala; attendants holding banners of victory; subtle supernatural guardians in the margins; fine calligraphy labels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (rakṣā-mantra stream; continuation of name enumeration)
FAQs
It transmits a nama-pāṭha (name-recitation) set—specific fierce/protective names to be invoked as a rakṣā (apotropaic protection) formula.
By cataloging specialized ritual elements (protective name-lists used like mantra-anga), it preserves practical liturgical technology alongside theology, showing the Purana’s handbook-like breadth.
Reciting/remembering these protective powers is presented as a means to avert harm and obstacles, supporting ritual purity and safeguarding the practitioner’s dharmic observances.