Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
रक्ताक्षी सुप्रसिद्धा तु विद्युज्जिह्वा करङ्किणी मेघनादा प्रचण्डोग्रा कालकर्णी वरप्रदा
raktākṣī suprasiddhā tu vidyujjihvā karaṅkiṇī meghanādā pracaṇḍogrā kālakarṇī varapradā
Elle est Raktākṣī (aux yeux rouges), certes très renommée ; Vidyujjihvā (à la langue d’éclair) ; Karaṅkiṇī (ornée de crânes) ; Meghanādā (dont le rugissement est tel un nuage de tonnerre) ; Pracaṇḍogrā (extrêmement farouche et redoutable) ; Kālakarṇī (à l’oreille noire, de mauvais augure) ; et Varapradā (Dispensatrice de grâces).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rakṣā and ugra-śānti prayoga: reciting fierce epithets (Raktākṣī, Karaṅkiṇī, Kālakarṇī) alongside boon-bestowing closure (Varapradā) for protection, intimidation of obstacles, and grace-bestowal in pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī-nāma: Raktākṣī–Karaṅkiṇī–Meghanādā–Varapradā","lookup_keywords":["raktākṣī","vidyujjihvā","karaṅkiṇī","meghanādā","varapradā"],"quick_summary":"A name-cluster portraying Devī as storm-and-lightning power with skull symbolism and fierce renown, culminating in boon-giving; used for protective recitation and obstacle-removal worship."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/utprekṣā-like epithet imagery (tongue as lightning; voice as thunder) within nāma-mālā
Concept: Śakti’s dual function: terrifying to negativity (ugra) yet compassionate to devotees (varapradā); symbolic language encodes inner transformation (lightning-tongue as sudden insight).
Application: Use as protective recitation at thresholds (home/temple) and during adversity; conclude with Varapradā contemplation to orient practice toward dharmic boons rather than harm.
Khanda Section: Mantra-devatā & Śākta-Tantra (Names/epithets of Devīs used in japa, protection, and ritual invocation)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A storm-charged fierce Devī with red eyes, lightning-like tongue, skull ornaments, roaring like thunderclouds; despite ferocity, one hand grants boons in varada-mudrā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dark monsoon palette, Devī with raktākṣī eyes, vidyut-tongue rendered as jagged flame, skull garland (karaṅkiṇī), thundercloud backdrop (meghanādā), one hand in varada-mudrā, protective aura around devotees","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, dramatic Devī with gold-embossed jewelry and skull motifs, red eyes highlighted, lightning tongue stylized with gold and white, cloud-and-thunder background, varada hand with gold detailing, intense contrast","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear iconographic plate: annotations for raktākṣī, vidyujjihvā, karaṅkiṇī, meghanādā, kālakarṇī, varapradā; precise depiction of mudrā and ornaments; subdued yet powerful colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, tempest scene with swirling clouds; Devī appears with red eyes and a lightning tongue, skull ornaments finely detailed; a devotee kneels receiving boon; intricate rendering of rain, clouds, and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: raktākṣī → rakta-akṣī; vidyujjihvā → vidyut-jihvā; meghanādā → megha-nādā; pracaṇḍogrā → pracaṇḍa-ugrā; kālakarṇī → kāla-karṇī; varapradā → vara-pradā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (Devī-nāma lists; yoginī/ugra forms)
FAQs
It provides a canonical set of Devī-epithets (nāma) used for japa and ritual invocation—names that encode iconography (skull-bearing), power (fierce), and function (boon-bestowing) for targeted devotional or protective practice.
By cataloging specific mantra-devatā identifiers and their functional attributes, it preserves a practical index of Śākta-Tantric theology—linking names to ritual utility—alongside the Purāṇa’s broader coverage of rites, governance, medicine, and arts.
Recitation and remembrance of these Devī-names is traditionally held to invoke protection, remove obstacles, and secure siddhi/desired outcomes—culminating in ‘vara’ (boons) through aligned devotion and disciplined practice.