Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 29
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
रौद्रीं ध्यायेद् वृषाब्जस्थां त्रिनेत्रां शशिभूषितां त्रिशूलाक्षधरां दक्षे वामे साभयशक्तिकां
raudrīṃ dhyāyed vṛṣābjasthāṃ trinetrāṃ śaśibhūṣitāṃ triśūlākṣadharāṃ dakṣe vāme sābhayaśaktikāṃ
Qu’on médite sur Raudrī, assise sur le taureau (vṛṣa) et sur un siège de lotus, à trois yeux, ornée de la lune ; de la main droite elle tient le trident (triśūla) et la hache, et de la main gauche la lance (śakti) tout en accordant l’abhayā (absence de crainte).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Raudrī-dhyāna for ritual empowerment and protection: visualize her seat (bull + lotus), third eye, lunar ornament, and weapons with abhaya to invoke fierce-guarding śakti.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dhyāna of Raudrī: Bull-and-Lotus Seated, Three-eyed, Moon-adorned, Weapon-bearing","lookup_keywords":["Raudrī dhyāna","vṛṣa-āsana","trinetrā","śaśi-bhūṣitā","triśūla paraśu śakti abhaya"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on Raudrī seated on bull and lotus, three-eyed and moon-adorned, holding trident and axe, with spear and the abhaya gesture—an iconographic formula for fierce protection in pūjā."}
Weapon Type: Trident; Axe; Spear
Concept: Fierce compassion: the deity’s weapons symbolize cutting ignorance/obstacles while abhaya assures refuge to the aligned devotee.
Application: In stressful or threatening contexts, use Raudrī-bhāvanā to cultivate decisive clarity (weapons) without panic (abhaya), then proceed with disciplined action.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-Dhyana (Devi-dhyana and iconographic visualization)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Raudrī, three-eyed and crowned with the moon, sits upon a bull and lotus; in her hands gleam trident, axe, and spear, while one hand grants abhaya—fierce yet protective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic Raudrī with pronounced third eye, crescent moon ornament, bull mount stylized, weapons outlined boldly, deep reds and ochres, aura of controlled ferocity with abhaya hand calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Raudrī enthroned with bull and lotus, heavy gold embossing on trident and ornaments, luminous moon on crown, rich maroon background, strong symmetrical composition with abhaya gesture highlighted.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: precise iconographic rendering—clear triśūla, paraśu, śakti, and abhaya; soft shading on face with third eye; bull proportionate; instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: finely detailed bull and lotus seat, Raudrī with crescent moon and third eye, weapons delicately painted, dramatic yet refined palette, ornate border and landscape hints."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vṛṣābjasthāṃ → vṛṣa-abja-sthām; triśūlākṣadharāṃ → triśūla-akṣa-dharām; sाभयशक्तिकां → sa-abhaya-śaktikām.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72.27-72.28 (other devatā-dhyānas in the sandhyā cycle)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditational iconography) for Raudrī—how to visualize her seat/vehicle, eyes, ornaments, and the specific weapons and abhaya-gesture used in pūjā and mantra-sādhana.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves practical ritual technology—precise iconographic and meditational specifications (āyudha, āsana/vāhana, mudrā)—used to standardize worship, image-conception, and tantric visualization across traditions.
Correct dhyāna is held to align the mind with the deity’s form and power; meditating on Raudrī with abhaya and weapons is traditionally aimed at protection, removal of fear/obstacles, and strengthening inner resolve (śakti) through disciplined worship.