Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 25
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
रुद्रश्चाष्टाविमे रुद्राः कटाहाभ्यन्तरे स्थिताः एतेषामेव नामानि भुवनानामपि स्मरेत्
rudraścāṣṭāvime rudrāḥ kaṭāhābhyantare sthitāḥ eteṣāmeva nāmāni bhuvanānāmapi smaret
Tels sont les huit Rudras ; ils demeurent à l’intérieur du bassin cosmique. Il convient aussi de se remémorer les noms mêmes de ces (Rudras), ainsi que les noms des mondes.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Mnemonic recitation of the eight Rudras and associated world-names for cosmographic orientation in Purāṇic ritual storytelling, vrata-kathā, and teaching cosmology.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Aṣṭa-Rudra placement in the cosmic basin (kaṭāha) and remembrance of bhuvana-nāmas","lookup_keywords":["Aṣṭa Rudra","Kaṭāha","Bhuvana","Cosmic basin","Smaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"States that eight Rudras dwell within the inner ‘cosmic basin’; recommends remembering their names along with the worlds—serving as a cosmography mnemonic."}
Concept: Cosmic taxonomy: deities and worlds are mapped and retained through nāma-smaraṇa (name-remembrance).
Application: Use as a teaching scaffold: recite lists to internalize Purāṇic cosmology; employ in ritual narration to situate stories within a cosmic map.
Khanda Section: Cosmology and Sacred Geography (Bhuvana-nama-smriti / Puranic Cosmography)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Cosmic region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cross-sectional cosmic diagram: a vast basin-like universe with eight Rudras stationed within, and concentric or tiered worlds labeled around them.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural cosmography, stylized cosmic basin with concentric lokas, eight Rudra figures placed symmetrically, traditional color blocks, Sanskrit labels integrated as mural inscriptions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style cosmogram, central basin motif with gold highlights, eight Rudras as small crowned figures, ornate border, labeled bhuvanas in circular bands","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting as an instructional chart, neat concentric rings for worlds, eight Rudras marked with clear iconographic cues and captions, soft palette and precise lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature scientific-cosmographic illustration, basin-like universe rendered with fine detail, eight Rudras as symbolic figures, calligraphic labels for lokas"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रुद्रः+च→रुद्रश्च; च+अष्टौ→चाष्टौ; कटाह+अभ्यन्तरे→कटाहाभ्यन्तरे
Related Themes: Agni Purana cosmography sections (bhuvana/ loka-nirūpaṇa); Agni Purana 84 (Rudra-name context)
FAQs
It teaches nāma-smṛti (disciplined recollection of sacred names): remembering the eight Rudras and the bhuvanas as part of Puranic cosmological knowledge used in recitation, teaching, and ritual remembrance.
By cataloging cosmic structures (worlds/bhuvanas) alongside deity-classes (the Rudras) and locating them within a cosmographic model (the kaṭāha), it functions like a reference index for Puranic cosmology and sacred geography.
Remembering divine and cosmic names is treated as a purifying practice that stabilizes devotion and right understanding of the universe, supporting merit (puṇya) through reverent recollection and correct cosmological orientation.