Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Vidyā-viśodhana-vidhāna
Procedure for Purifying Mantra-Vidyā
शिवश् च सशिवो बभ्रुरक्षयः शम्भुरेव च अदृष्टरूपनामानौ तथान्यो रूपवर्धनः
śivaś ca saśivo babhrurakṣayaḥ śambhureva ca adṛṣṭarūpanāmānau tathānyo rūpavardhanaḥ
Et (il est) «Śiva»; «Saśiva»; «Babhru»; «Akṣaya» (l’Imperissable); et, certes, «Śambhu». (Il est) celui dont la forme et le nom sont invisibles (Adṛṣṭarūpa-nāmā); et aussi l’autre (nom): «Rūpavardhana», «celui qui accroît la forme/la splendeur».
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Name-recitation for Śiva/Rudra worship; epithets serve as mantra-substitutes in japa and as contemplative handles for formless/hidden aspects (adṛṣṭarūpa-nāmā) and manifest splendor (rūpavardhana).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra epithets: Śiva, Saśiva, Babhru, Akṣaya, Śambhu, Adṛṣṭarūpa-nāmā, Rūpavardhana","lookup_keywords":["babhru","akṣaya","śambhu","adṛṣṭarūpa","rūpavardhana"],"quick_summary":"Presents a compact cluster of Rudra names spanning auspiciousness, permanence, beneficence, hidden transcendence, and the power that increases form/splendor—useful for stotra, japa, and dhyāna."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-mālā (enumeration)
Concept: The divine is simultaneously nameable and beyond name/form: ‘Adṛṣṭarūpa-nāmā’ points to transcendence, while ‘Rūpavardhana’ affirms immanence and manifesting power.
Application: In meditation, alternate contemplation: (1) nirguṇa/hidden Śiva beyond perception; (2) saguna Śiva as the source of increasing brilliance and auspicious manifestation.
Khanda Section: Shiva-Sahasranama / Rudra-Nama (Stotra and Name-Lists)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A twofold depiction: an aniconic liṅga or subtle, veiled Rudra representing the unseen-name aspect, alongside a radiant, fully formed Śiva whose splendor expands—both framed as a garland of names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, left: dark liṅga with faint aura (adṛṣṭa), right: bright Śiva with expanding halo (rūpavardhana), traditional ornamental borders, muted earth palette with luminous highlights","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Śambhu with gold radiance, side panel showing liṅga with silver/white aura, embossed name-cartouches, rich gold work and gemstones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic split composition showing ‘unseen’ as minimal silhouette/veil and ‘form-increasing’ as progressively brighter Śiva figure, fine lines and soft gradients","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, mystical scene with a veiled luminous presence labeled by calligraphy, and a manifest Śiva figure with attendants, intricate detailing, subdued palette with gold accents"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवश् च = शिवः + च; शम्भुरेव = शम्भुः + एव; तथान्यो = तथा + अन्यः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 86 (Śiva/Rudra nāma clusters in sequence)
FAQs
It imparts nāma-japa/stotra-vidhi in seed form: a curated set of Śiva-epithets meant for recitation, where each name functions as a mantra-like descriptor (auspiciousness, imperishability, beneficence, transcendence of name-and-form).
Alongside sections on polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves liturgical corpora (nāmāvalīs and stotras). This verse exemplifies its cataloguing of devotional-ritual tools—name-lists used in worship, meditation, and merit-making practice.
Reciting these names frames Śiva as auspicious and beneficent yet ultimately beyond grasp of ordinary name-and-form; such remembrance is traditionally held to purify the mind, increase sattva, and accrue puṇya through devotion (bhakti) and mantra-recitation (japa).