Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 22
Chapter 64 — कूपादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
The Account of the Consecration of Wells and Other Water-Works
तस्यै पृथिव्यै देहधृत्यै इह स्वधृतये ततः इह रत्यै चेह रमत्या उग्रो भीमश् च रौद्रकः
tasyai pṛthivyai dehadhṛtyai iha svadhṛtaye tataḥ iha ratyai ceha ramatyā ugro bhīmaś ca raudrakaḥ
À Elle—Pṛthivī, la Terre—qui soutient les corps, ici l’on invoquera pour sa propre stabilité. Puis, ici (on invoquera) pour la joie, et ici pour la jouissance. (Qu’on invoque aussi) Ugra, le Féroce ; Bhīma, le Terrible ; et Raudraka, le Courroucé.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, traditional Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Name-epithet invocation in ritual: addressing Earth (Pṛthivī) with functional epithets for bodily support and steadiness, then invoking delight/enjoyment aspects, and fierce forms (Ugra, Bhīma, Raudra) as protective/warding powers within the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pṛthivī and Ugra Epithets for Ritual Invocation","lookup_keywords":["prithivi","deha-dhrti","svadhrti","rati","ugra-bhima-raudra"],"quick_summary":"Invoke Earth as body-supporting and steadiness-giving, then invoke rati/ramatā (delight), and also fierce epithets (ugra, bhīma, raudra) for protective potency in the ritual field."}
Alamkara Type: Namokti (name-litany)
Concept: Ritual psychology: first stabilize (dhṛti), then invoke auspicious enjoyment (rati), while also integrating fierce guardianship to remove obstacles.
Application: Use these epithets as sankalpa-aligned invocations: steadiness for the performer, auspicious joy for fruition, and ugra-forms for protection/śānti of impediments.
Khanda Section: Nama-vidhi / Devata-nama-stotra (Names and epithets used in ritual invocation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist invokes Pṛthivī as the supporting ground beneath the altar; the earth-goddess appears serene, while behind/around the ritual perimeter appear fierce guardian energies labeled Ugra, Bhīma, Raudra, forming a protective ring.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Pṛthivī Devī emerging from stylized earth-lotus, calm face, green-brown palette; around the maṇḍala perimeter, fierce guardian faces/figures in red-black tones representing ugra-bhīma-raudra, ritual altar centered","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Pṛthivī Devī seated with gold halo and ornate jewelry, earth-toned throne; subtle gold-embossed guardian motifs at borders for Ugra/Bhīma/Raudra; ritual implements in foreground","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction: altar on ground plane labeled ‘Pṛthivī’, arrows to ‘dhṛti’, ‘rati’, ‘ramatā’; protective ring with three fierce emblems for ugra/bhīma/raudra, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical scene: personified Earth as regal lady, courtly palette; three fierce guardian figures in the margins, delicate calligraphy of epithets, ritualist seated near a small altar"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेह → च + इह; भीमश् च → भीमः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana nāma-vidhi and devatā-nāma sections in the same chapter sequence
FAQs
It teaches phala-oriented invocation: specific epithets (Pṛthivī as body-support, plus Ugra/Bhīma/Raudraka) are recited in sequence to aim at steadiness (dhṛti) and enjoyment/pleasure (rati/ramatā) within a ritual context.
By cataloging functional divine names and their intended results, it preserves a practical ritual index—showing how Purāṇic literature doubles as a handbook of mantra-usage, deity-epithets, and outcome-based worship.
The verse frames worldly stability and enjoyment as legitimate aims when pursued through dharmic worship; invoking Earth as sustainer and fierce forms as protectors channels desire and fear into disciplined, merit-bearing ritual action.