Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 11
Chapter 21 — सामान्यपूजाकथनम्
Teaching on General Worship
बलविकरिणी चापि बलप्रमथिनी क्रमात् घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः यजेत् दुर्गां इति ख, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः गिरिं श्रियमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः शिवं श्रियतमिति घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः गौरीं श्रियं गुरुं चास्त्रं शक्त्यादिं धर्मकादिकमिति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः सर्वभूतदमनी च मदनोन्मादिनी शिवासनं
balavikariṇī cāpi balapramathinī kramāt gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ yajet durgāṃ iti kha, gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ giriṃ śriyamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ śivaṃ śriyatamiti gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ gaurīṃ śriyaṃ guruṃ cāstraṃ śaktyādiṃ dharmakādikamiti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ sarvabhūtadamanī ca madanonmādinī śivāsanaṃ
Ensuite, selon l’ordre prescrit, (elle) doit être invoquée comme « Balavikariṇī » et aussi « Balapramathinī ». (Lectures variantes : certains manuscrits lisent « il faut adorer Durgā » ; d’autres « Śrī, la prospérité de la montagne » ; d’autres encore « Śiva, le plus auspiceux / dispensateur de śrī ». ) De plus, on la nomme « Gaurī », « Śrī », « Guru », « Astra (arme) », « Śakti et le reste », et « Dharma et le reste » ; ainsi que « Sarvabhūtadamanī » (celle qui dompte tous les êtres), « Madanoṁmādinī » (celle qui rend Kāma/la passion frénétique), et « Śivāsanā » (celle dont le siège est Śiva / assise sur l’auspice).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Devī-upāsanā in pūjā: using nāma-mantra litany to invoke specific śakti-aspects for protection, prosperity, subjugation of obstacles, and auspicious enthronement in the ritual.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Durgā-Śakti nāma-krama (Balavikariṇī–Śivāsanā)","lookup_keywords":["Balavikariṇī","Balapramathinī","Sarvabhūtadamanī","Madanoṁmādinī","Śivāsanā"],"quick_summary":"A sequential list of Devī epithets used as invocation-names in worship; variants indicate differing recensional readings for the same ritual slot. Practically, it guides which śakti-name to recite while offering upacāras in order."}
Alamkara Type: Nāmāvalī (enumerative praise)
Weapon Type: Astra (as a Devī-epithet)
Concept: One Devī is approached through many functional names (nāma-bheda) corresponding to ritual intentions (saṅkalpa).
Application: Choose/recite the epithet aligned with the desired fruit (śrī, śiva, guru, śakti, dharma, damana) during pūjā steps; maintain krama (sequence).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devi-upasana (Durga & Shakti mantra-nama-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar where the priest recites Devī’s epithets in sequence; Devī appears as a radiant enthroned form, with symbols of prosperity and subjugation of obstacles; variant manuscript readings shown as marginal notes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural of Durgā/Śakti enthroned as Śivāsanā, deep red and ochre palette, ornate jewelry, attendants, palm-leaf manuscript with variant readings, ritual lamps and flowers, sacred calm mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Gaurī-Śrī aspect of Devī with heavy gold foil halo, seated on an auspicious throne (Śivāsana), rich ornaments, lotus and protective gestures, priest offering upacāras in foreground.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional composition: pūjā-maṇḍala with labeled epithets (Balavikariṇī, Balapramathinī, Sarvabhūtadamanī), neat linework, soft colors, manuscript marginalia indicated.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a courtly shrine scene: a sādhaka reading a manuscript with variant lines, Devī visualized above as luminous multi-aspect goddess, fine detailing of textiles, incense smoke, and offerings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cāpi = ca + api; śivāsanaṃ = śiva + āsanam. Verse text contains multiple manuscript variant notes; analysis given for the readable continuous segment ending with ‘sarvabhūtadamanī ... śivāsanaṃ’.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 21 (Pūjā-vidhi sections on Devī-nāma and mantra-nyāsa)
FAQs
It provides a sequential set of Devī-epithets (nāma) to be used in worship/recitation, indicating how the Goddess is invoked through specific power-titles (e.g., Balavikariṇī, Sarvabhūtadamanī) and noting manuscript variant readings affecting the worship formula.
By preserving liturgical name-lists, functional epithets, and even variant textual traditions used in ritual practice, it documents applied religion (pujā/mantra) alongside philological transmission—typical of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
Invoking the Goddess through these power-names is presented as a means of protection, subjugation of obstacles, and acquisition of auspicious prosperity (Śrī), aligning the practitioner with Devī’s śakti for purification and merit.