Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Abhiṣeka-Ādi-Kathana
Consecratory Bathing and Related Rites
त्रिमूर्तमेकरुद्राक्षमेकनेत्रं शिवोत्तमं सप्तमं सूक्ष्मनामानमनन्तं रुद्रमष्टमं
trimūrtamekarudrākṣamekanetraṃ śivottamaṃ saptamaṃ sūkṣmanāmānamanantaṃ rudramaṣṭamaṃ
Le septième est (Rudra) en tant que « Trois-Formes » (Trimūrti) ; celui qui porte un seul rudrākṣa ; l’Un-Œil ; Śiva, le Suprême. Le huitième est le Rudra nommé « Sūkṣma-nāman » (au nom subtil) et « Ananta » (l’Infini).
Lord Agni (narrating the Rudra names within Agni Purana’s instruction to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Contemplative japa/arcana using Rudra epithets as dhyāna-nāma for visualization and inner alignment during Śaiva worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra-nāma: Tri-mūrta, Eka-rudrākṣa, Eka-netra, Śivottama; Sūkṣma-nāman, Ananta","lookup_keywords":["Rudra-nāma","Tri-mūrta","Eka-netra","Sūkṣma-nāman","Ananta Rudra"],"quick_summary":"The verse supplies a compact set of Rudra epithets for the 7th and 8th positions in a naming/meditative sequence. Use the names as dhyāna handles—form (trimūrta), sign (rudrākṣa), vision (one-eyed), supremacy, subtle naming, and infinity."}
Alamkara Type: Bahuvrīhi (epithetic compounds)
Concept: One reality expressed through multiple aspects—form (trimūrta), perception (eka-netra), subtlety (sūkṣma), and infinity (ananta).
Application: During japa, cycle through the epithets as successive contemplations: from manifest functions to subtle name-form dissolution into the infinite.
Khanda Section: Rudra-Nama-Stotra / Shaiva-Upasana (Rudra epithets and contemplative naming)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditative depiction of Rudra with symbolic overlays: threefold aspect (trimūrta), a single eye motif, rudrākṣa bead emphasis, and an infinite aura representing Ananta; a devotee reciting names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal Śiva/Rudra with stylized single eye, threefold emblem behind (Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva suggestion), rudrākṣa garland prominent, expansive circular aura for Ananta, devotee seated in japa, temple lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented Śiva with gold aureole, rudrākṣa beads rendered with raised work, symbolic trimūrti panel behind, single-eye emblem on forehead region, infinite halo rings, devotional posture","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional iconography: labels for Tri-mūrta, Eka-netra, Sūkṣma-nāman, Ananta; devotee with mālā; soft pastel background, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet spiritual setting, ascetic devotee reciting, Rudra appearing in a vision-cloud with single-eye motif and vast halo, fine detailing of beads and textiles, calligraphic name captions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिमूर्तमेकरुद्राक्षमेकनेत्रं = त्रिमूर्तम् + एकरुद्राक्षम् + एकनेत्रम्; शिवोत्तमं = शिव + उत्तमम्; सूक्ष्मनामानमनन्तं = सूक्ष्मनामानम् + अनन्तम्; रुद्रमष्टमं = रुद्रम् + अष्टमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 90 (Rudra-nāma-stotra sequence)
FAQs
It supplies specific Rudra-epithets for structured nāma-japa and dhyāna: meditating on Rudra as Trimūrti (cosmic functions), Ekanetra (single all-seeing eye), and as the subtle/infinite reality—used as contemplative identifiers in Shaiva recitation practice.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and architecture, the Agni Purana also preserves liturgical technology—name-lists (nāmāvalī), deity-iconology, and theological descriptors—showing it functions as a practical compendium for ritual, devotion, and meditation.
Reciting and contemplating these names is presented as a purifying Shaiva practice: it focuses the mind on Shiva’s supreme, subtle, and infinite nature, supporting inner purification and devotional merit (puṇya) through disciplined remembrance (smaraṇa/japa).