Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 25
Chapter 312 — Various Mantras (नानामन्त्राः)
ईशानादौ च मध्ये तां नित्यां पाशाङ्कुशौ तथा कपालकल्पकतरुं वीणा रक्ता च तद्वती
īśānādau ca madhye tāṃ nityāṃ pāśāṅkuśau tathā kapālakalpakataruṃ vīṇā raktā ca tadvatī
Dans la direction d’Īśāna (nord-est) et aussi au centre, il faut contempler cette Déesse éternelle, portant le lasso (pāśa) et l’aiguillon (aṅkuśa) ; portant un crâne (kapāla) et l’arbre exauçant les vœux (kalpaka-taru), ainsi qu’une vīṇā ; elle est rouge et possède ces emblèmes.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual/iconographic instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Devī-dhyāna for pūjā/nyāsa: placement (Īśāna and center) and emblem-set (pāśa, aṅkuśa, kapāla, kalpataru, vīṇā) with red coloration for accurate visualization and icon-making.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dhyāna-lakṣaṇa of the Nityā Devī: emblems and placement (Īśāna/center)","lookup_keywords":["Ishana","Dhyana","Pasha","Ankusha","Kapala","Kalpataru","Vina"],"quick_summary":"Specifies where to contemplate/install the Devī (northeast and center) and her identifying emblems—noose, goad, skull, wish-fulfilling tree, and vīṇā—along with her red hue, enabling correct ritual visualization and iconography."}
Concept: Dhyāna as the bridge between mantra and form: precise emblems and spatial placement stabilize the deity’s presence in mind and ritual space.
Application: Before japa/pūjā, visualize the Devī in the Īśāna quarter and at the center of the maṇḍala; maintain the emblem-set to prevent dhyāna-bhrānti (visualization drift).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra: Devi-dhyana and iconography (Nitya/Devi-nyasa context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A red-hued eternal Devī visualized in the northeast and at the center of a ritual maṇḍala, multi-armed holding noose, goad, skull, kalpataru, and vīṇā—combining control, boon, transcendence, and music.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Devī in red seated within a maṇḍala, shown twice or mirrored to indicate Īśāna and center, holding pāśa and aṅkuśa, kapāla, kalpataru branch, and vīṇā, bold outlines, temple ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central red Devī with heavy gold ornaments, five emblems clearly displayed, kalpataru rendered as jeweled tree, vīṇā detailed, directional Īśāna marker motif, gold leaf halo","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise iconographic plate: Devī with labeled emblems (pāśa, aṅkuśa, kapāla, kalpataru, vīṇā), small diagram indicating Īśāna and center placement, delicate shading and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined devotional portrait of a red-clad goddess with vīṇā and ritual emblems, set in a palace-garden with a wish-fulfilling tree, subtle compass cue for northeast, intricate textile detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ईशानादौ = ईशान-आदौ; पाशाङ्कुशौ = पाश-अङ्कुशौ; तद्वती = तद्-वती
Related Themes: Agni Purana 312.24 (mūla-mantra and ṣaḍaṅga to empower dhyāna); Agni Purana 312.23 (yantra context where dhyāna is applied)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna/iconographic specification for Nityā Devī, including her placement in the Īśāna (northeast) direction and in the center, and the precise emblems to visualize: pāśa, aṅkuśa, kapāla, kalpataru, and vīṇā, along with her red complexion.
It preserves practical tantric-paurāṇic liturgy—directional placement, deity-visualization, and emblem lists—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond narrative into applied ritual science (pūjā-vidhi, dhyāna, and iconography).
Correct dhyāna with accurate attributes and placement is taught as a means to make worship effective—stabilizing concentration, aligning the rite with śāstric form, and thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and purification through properly performed devotion.