Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
यमजिह्वा जयन्ती च दुर्जया च जयान्तिका विडाली रेवती चैव पूतना विजयान्तिका
yamajihvā jayantī ca durjayā ca jayāntikā viḍālī revatī caiva pūtanā vijayāntikā
Yamajihvā, Jayantī, Durjayā, Jayāntikā, Viḍālī, Revatī, ainsi que Pūtanā et Vijayāntikā — tels sont les pouvoirs nommés que l’on invoque/récite pour la protection.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instruction frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Rakṣā recitation invoking named śaktis (some associated with graha/child-affliction lore like Pūtanā/Revatī) to avert harm and secure victory.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rakṣā Nāma—Yamajihvā to Vijayāntikā","lookup_keywords":["Pūtanā","Revatī","Durjayā","Jayantī","rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"A protective list of fierce and victory-bestowing names; traditionally used to ward off malevolent forces and secure success (jaya/vijaya) in undertakings."}
Concept: Protective power is invoked through naming—jaya/vijaya epithets function as intentional anchors for overcoming obstacles and hostile forces.
Application: Use in kavaca-style recitation before travel, conflict, litigation, or vulnerable life-stages (childbirth/infancy) as a ritual protection layer.
Khanda Section: Raksha-Mantra & Matrika/Nama-vidhi (Protective deity-name enumeration within Agni Purana’s ritual-vidya stream)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective circle (rakṣā-maṇḍala) around a household/child; fierce feminine guardians at the eight directions; victory banners and protective seals inscribed with the names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: mother and child near a lamp-lit altar; eight directional guardians with fierce yet protective faces; inscriptions of Yamajihvā, Jayantī, Durjayā, Jayāntikā, Viḍālī, Revatī, Pūtanā, Vijayāntikā; strong reds and blacks, ritual geometry on the floor.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central protective Devi with gold arch; small directional panels showing the named śaktis; victory motifs (flags, conch, drum) and protective yantra rendered with embossed gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional household-rakṣā scene—floor mandala, thread/amulet, manuscript; labeled guardians in corners; calm composition emphasizing protection.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: domestic courtyard with a ritualist drawing a mandala; attendants holding banners of victory; subtle supernatural guardians in the margins; fine calligraphy labels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (rakṣā-mantra stream; continuation of name enumeration)
FAQs
It transmits a nama-pāṭha (name-recitation) set—specific fierce/protective names to be invoked as a rakṣā (apotropaic protection) formula.
By cataloging specialized ritual elements (protective name-lists used like mantra-anga), it preserves practical liturgical technology alongside theology, showing the Purana’s handbook-like breadth.
Reciting/remembering these protective powers is presented as a means to avert harm and obstacles, supporting ritual purity and safeguarding the practitioner’s dharmic observances.