Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 24
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
साभयं वरदं पञ्चवदंनञ्च त्रिलोचनम् पत्रेषु मुर्तयः पञ्च स्थाप्यास्तत्पुरुषादयः
sābhayaṃ varadaṃ pañcavadaṃnañca trilocanam patreṣu murtayaḥ pañca sthāpyāstatpuruṣādayaḥ
Él (Śiva) ha de representarse otorgando intrepidez y dones, de cinco rostros y tres ojos; y sobre las hojas rituales deben instalarse las cinco mūrtis, comenzando por Tatpuruṣa, conforme al orden.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Iconographic and nyasa installation: depict Śiva with specific facial/ocular features and install the Pañcabrahma-mūrtis (Tatpuruṣa etc.) on ritual leaves for worship and internal mapping.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pañcabrahma-mūrti-nyāsa with Pañcavaktra Śiva Iconography","lookup_keywords":["panchabrahma","tatpurusha","panchavaktra shiva","trilocana","abhaya varada"],"quick_summary":"Visualize Śiva as five-faced, three-eyed, granting fearlessness and boons; then install the five Brahma-aspects beginning with Tatpuruṣa on the designated leaves to complete the pañcabrahma-nyāsa."}
Concept: The one Śiva is approached through fivefold manifestation (pañcabrahma), integrating cosmological functions into worship and body-mandala mapping.
Application: During nyāsa, correlate each face/aspect with its direction/function; let abhaya-varada signify inner fearlessness and ethical steadiness in practice.
Khanda Section: Isana-kalpa / Puja-vidhi (Pañcabrahma-mūrti-nyāsa and iconographic installation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A five-faced, three-eyed Śiva icon showing abhaya and varada; around him five leaf-plates (patras) arranged for nyāsa, each labeled with a Pañcabrahma aspect starting with Tatpuruṣa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, pañcavaktra Śiva with strong stylized faces, three eyes emphasized, abhaya-varada gestures clear, five leaf-plates around with inscriptions, temple mural palette and bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, majestic five-faced Śiva with heavy gold embossing, halo and ornaments in gold, leaf-plates rendered as decorative panels with gold borders, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise iconographic rendering of five faces and mudras, diagram-like placement of five patras with neat labels (Tatpuruṣa etc.), soft shading and instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed multi-faced Śiva seated, attendants arranging leaf-plates for nyāsa, fine calligraphy cartouches naming the five aspects, ornate architectural frame"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pañcavadaṃnañca → pañca-vadam + ca; sthāpyāstatpuruṣādayaḥ → sthāpyāḥ tatpuruṣa-ādayaḥ (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Isana-kalpa; pañcabrahma-nyāsa context)
FAQs
It teaches Pañcabrahma-oriented Śaiva ritual procedure: visualizing Śiva as abhaya-varada, pañcavaktra, trilocana, and performing patra-nyāsa by installing the five mūrtis (Tatpuruṣa onward) on ritual leaves.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves precise liturgical and iconographic specifications—how to represent the deity and how to execute a technical installation (sthāpana/nyāsa), reflecting the Purāṇa’s compendium-style coverage of ritual science.
Correct installation of the five Śiva-forms is held to sanctify the rite, align the worshipper with Śiva’s protective and boon-bestowing powers (abhaya/vara), and generate merit through properly ordered devotional action (vidhi-yukta pūjā).