Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
चन्द्रा चन्द्रावली चैव प्रपञ्चा प्रलयान्तिका शिशुवक्त्रा पिशाची च पिशिताशा च लोलुपा
candrā candrāvalī caiva prapañcā pralayāntikā śiśuvaktrā piśācī ca piśitāśā ca lolupā
Chandrā, Chandrāvalī, Prapañcā, Pralayāntikā, Śiśuvaktrā, Piśācī, Piśitāśā et Lolupā — tels sont aussi ses noms.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s ritual/namavali material) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective recitation (raksha) and ritual identification of specific Matrika/Yogini powers through nāma-japa within Devi-pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mātrikā/Yoginī Nāma—Chandrā to Lolupā","lookup_keywords":["Chandrā","Pralayāntikā","Piśācī","Mātrikā-nāma","rakṣā-mantra"],"quick_summary":"A name-list used as a protective and empowering recitation in Devi-oriented ritual. The names encode distinct functions—lunar auspiciousness, dissolution, fierce protection, and hunger/consumption motifs."}
Concept: Nāma as śakti—invocation through enumerated epithets to activate specific protective functions of Devi.
Application: Use the name-list in japa/nyāsa/rakṣā sequences to establish a protective perimeter and align the sādhaka with the invoked śaktis.
Khanda Section: Devi-Puja & Tantra (Matrika/ Yogini-Nama; Raksha-Mantra context)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual scene where a sādhaka recites a Yoginī/Mātrikā name-list before a Devi yantra or mandala; shadowy fierce feminine forms appear as protective presences around the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: Devi-pūjā with a yantra on a low altar, oil lamps, priest reciting; around the sanctum, eight subtle Yoginī silhouettes labeled Chandrā, Chandrāvalī, Prapañcā, Pralayāntikā, Śiśuvaktrā, Piśācī, Piśitāśā, Lolupā; earthy reds, ochres, strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Devi yantra with ornate arch, gold leaf highlights; priest in profile chanting; small medallions around with the eight names in Devanāgarī; rich jewel tones, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clean linework, instructional composition—altar, rosary, manuscript; eight name-panels arranged symmetrically; soft shading, restrained palette, emphasis on clarity of ritual objects.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly interior adapted as a ritual chamber; a learned sādhaka reading from a manuscript; delicate borders; faint ethereal feminine figures around, each with a captioned name; fine detailing and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (Mātrikā/Yoginī-nāma and rakṣā context); Agni Purana sections on Devi-pūjā/nyāsa/dhyāna in adjacent chapters
FAQs
It supplies a set of Devi-epithets used for namajapa/namavali-style recitation in protective and esoteric worship contexts.
By cataloging specialized divine names—ranging from auspicious (radiant, cosmic) to fierce (piśāca-like, flesh-desiring)—it preserves ritual-taxonomy used across mantra, protection rites, and Devi-upasana traditions.
Recitation and remembrance of these names is traditionally held to invoke the goddess’s protective power, subduing fear, negativity, and harmful influences through devotional-identificatory japa.