Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
सर्वज्ञा तरला तारा ऋग्वेदा तु हयानना साराख्या रुद्रशङ्ग्राही सम्बरा तालजङ्घिका
sarvajñā taralā tārā ṛgvedā tu hayānanā sārākhyā rudraśaṅgrāhī sambarā tālajaṅghikā
Elle est Omnisciente ; elle est Taralā (vive, ou frémissante d’énergie) ; elle est Tārā ; elle est l’essence du Ṛgveda ; elle est Hayānanā (au visage de cheval) ; on la nomme Sārā (« Essence ») ; elle porte l’emblème ou la puissance de Rudra ; elle est Sambarā ; et elle est Tālajaṅghikā (« aux jambes semblables au palmier tāla »).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Japa and protective recitation using Devī epithets that encode mantra-vidyā (Tārā), śruti-sāra (Ṛgveda-svarūpā), and specific icon-forms (Hayānanā); used for siddhi, protection, and knowledge-oriented worship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī-nāma: Sarvajñā–Tārā–Ṛgvedā–Hayānanā","lookup_keywords":["tārā","sarvajñā","ṛgvedā","hayānanā","rudraśaṅgrāhī"],"quick_summary":"A name-list presenting Devī as omniscience, swift power, Tārā-vidyā, Vedic essence, and specific form-identifiers; supports both knowledge (jñāna) and protection (rakṣā) prayogas."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-mālā; occasional śleṣa (Tārā as ‘savioress/star’)
Concept: Devī as both mantra-vidyā (Tārā) and śruti-sāra (Ṛgveda): knowledge and liberation-supporting power accessed through nāma-japa.
Application: For vidyā-siddhi: recite with intent of clarity and ethical speech; for protection: combine with simple nyāsa/kavaca per one’s lineage.
Khanda Section: Devi-Nama-stotra / Tantra-Mantra (Goddess epithets and name-lists used for japa and protective recitation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Devī as Tārā with a luminous star/boat-saving motif, holding Vedic scrolls symbolizing Ṛgveda essence; a horse-faced aspect (Hayānanā) shown in a subsidiary form; Rudra emblem displayed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central Tārā-like Devī with serene yet alert eyes, a small star motif above, palm-leaf Veda bundle in hand, secondary vignette of Hayānanā with equine face, Rudra emblem (triśūla/ḍamaru) nearby, deep greens and reds","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Devī enthroned with gold halo, star motif, gold-embossed Veda manuscript, ornate Rudra emblem, side panel showing Hayānanā form, rich jewel tones and heavy gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: labels for Sarvajñā, Tārā, Ṛgvedā, Hayānanā; clean depiction of Veda scroll and Rudra insignia; balanced, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly-devotional scene: a devotee recites while a radiant Devī appears with a star motif and a Vedic manuscript; a smaller horse-faced manifestation in the margin; fine calligraphy and delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sarvajñā → sarva-jñā; ṛgvedā → ṛg-vedā; hayānanā → haya-ānanā; sārākhyā → sāra-ākhyā; tālajaṅghikā → tāla-jaṅghikā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (Devī-nāma lists)
FAQs
It provides a calibrated list of Devi-epithets used in stotra-style recitation (nāma-japa) for protection, devotion, and mantra-oriented contemplation of the Goddess as Veda-essence and as specific forms (e.g., Tārā, Hayānanā).
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical material—name-lists and stotras—showing how Purāṇas function as handbooks for worship, mantra practice, and sectarian/theological integration (Śākta and Śaiva elements here).
Reciting and meditating on these names is traditionally held to purify speech and mind, invoke the Goddess’s protective grace, and generate merit (puṇya) through devotional remembrance aligned with Vedic and Śaiva-Śākta power.