Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Gaṇeśa-pūjā-vidhiḥ
The Procedure for Worship of Gaṇeśa
पद्मकर्णिकवीजांश् च ज्वालिनीं नन्दयार्चयेत् सूर्येशा कामरूपा च उदया कामवर्तिनी
padmakarṇikavījāṃś ca jvālinīṃ nandayārcayet sūryeśā kāmarūpā ca udayā kāmavartinī
Man verehre die Göttin als Padmakarṇikā-bījā (Bīja, Samen-Mantra) und als Jvālinī (die Flammende); ebenso als Nandayā, als Sūryeśā, als Kāmarūpā, als Udayā und als Kāmavartinī.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana frame: Agni instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Devī-nāma-arcana: invoking and worshiping the Goddess through a sequence of functional names (bīja-associated and power-forms) during pūjā/āvaraṇa worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī nāma-arcana: Padmakarṇikā-bījā, Jvālinī, Nandayā, Sūryeśā, Kāmarūpā, Udayā, Kāmavartinī","lookup_keywords":["Devī-nāma","arcana","bīja","Jvālinī","Kāmarūpā"],"quick_summary":"Worship the Goddess through specific epithets that encode powers—seed-form, blazing energy, auspiciousness, solar sovereignty, desire-transformation, dawning, and desire-governance."}
Concept: Nāma as śakti-vyūha: divine names are not mere labels but operational ‘modes’ of power accessed through arcana.
Application: Use nāma-arcana to cultivate specific inner states—tejas (jvālinī), auspicious joy (nandayā), clarity/illumination (sūryeśā), and disciplined desire (kāmavartinī).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-Mantra (Devi-nama-arcana and deity-invocation in worship)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Devī altar where the worshiper offers flowers while reciting a garland of names; the Goddess appears in layered aspects—lotus-centered, flame-wreathed, solar-crowned, dawn-colored—suggesting different śaktis.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Devī with lotus motif at heart, surrounded by flame border and a solar halo; side panels show dawn gradient; priest offering red flowers; inscriptions of names Padmakarṇikā, Jvālinī, Nandayā, Sūryeśā, Kāmarūpā, Udayā, Kāmavartinī.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Devī seated on lotus with heavy gold foil ornaments; radiant sun-disc halo; stylized flames behind; rich vermilion and saffron dawn tones; devotee performing arcana with flower plate.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, elegant Devī with subtle flames and sunrise background; small cartouches listing the seven names; clean instructional composition focusing on nāma-arcana sequence.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined shrine interior: Devī idol on lotus pedestal, lamp flames echoing ‘Jvālinī’; sunrise visible through an arch; attendant reading a manuscript of names; intricate textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वीजांश् = वीजान् (before ca); नन्दयार्चयेत् = नन्दया + अर्चयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 71 (devī-invocation and arcana lists)
FAQs
It teaches a nama-arcana style instruction: worship the Goddess by invoking specific Shakti-epithets (and bīja-units), i.e., a keyed list of names used in puja/japa/nyasa-oriented worship.
By preserving a practical ritual register—specific divine names and bīja-based identifiers used in worship—this chapter functions like a liturgical manual embedded within the Purana’s wider coverage of many disciplines.
Invoking the Goddess through prescribed names is presented as a focused devotional method that purifies intent, concentrates the mind, and aligns the worshipper with Shakti for protection and the fulfillment of righteous aims.