Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
हेतुकं त्रिपुरघ्नञ्च शक्त्याख्यं यमजिह्वकं कालं करालिनं षष्ठमेकाङ्घ्रिम्भीममष्टकं
hetukaṃ tripuraghnañca śaktyākhyaṃ yamajihvakaṃ kālaṃ karālinaṃ ṣaṣṭhamekāṅghrimbhīmamaṣṭakaṃ
« (Ils sont nommés) Hetuka ; Tripuraghna ; Śaktyākhya ; Yamajihvaka ; Kāla ; Karālin—le sixième ; Ekāṅghri ; et Bhīma—le huitième. »
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Name-based protective invocation: memorizing and deploying the eight kṣetrapāla/āvaraṇa names for directional guarding and ritual completeness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aṣṭa-nāma of Protective Deities (Hetuka–Bhīma)","lookup_keywords":["Hetuka","Tripuraghna","Karālin","Ekāṅghri","Bhīma"],"quick_summary":"Provides an eightfold list of protective names used in āvaraṇa/dik-rituals; these names function as mantra-identifiers for invoking guardians in sequence."}
Concept: Nāma-mantra efficacy: the deity is accessed through precise naming within a fixed eightfold protective schema.
Application: Use the list as a mnemonic for correct āvaraṇa order; prevents ritual omission and strengthens protective intent.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya / Tantra: Protective Mantras and Name-based Invocations
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Eight fierce guardian-deities arranged in a circle, each labeled by name (Hetuka, Tripuraghna, etc.), surrounding a protected ritual space like a temple courtyard or maṇḍala.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: eight bhairava-like guardians in dynamic poses around a central sanctum outline, each with name cartouche, intense reds/ochres, stylized flames and weapons implied by fierceness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: eight guardian panels with gold halos and ornate frames, names inscribed, central protective yantra motif, rich jewel tones and gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic circular layout with eight figures and clear labels, calm instructional clarity, fine ornamentation, emphasis on sequence and placement.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly yet dramatic depiction of eight guardians around a pavilion, each distinct in attire and expression, calligraphic name labels, detailed landscape border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिपुरघ्नञ्च = त्रिपुरघ्नम् + च (अनुस्वार/व्यञ्जन-सन्धि); शक्त्याख्यं = शक्ति + आख्यम्; षष्ठमेकाङ्घ्रिम्भीममष्टकं = षष्ठम् + एकाङ्घ्रिम् + भीमम् + अष्टकम् (समास/सन्धि-समुच्चय)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96.12 (kṣetrapāla worship in directions using huṃ phaṭ mantras)
FAQs
It transmits mantra-vidyā through a structured list of specific divine epithets/forms, used for name-based invocation (nāma-japa/nyāsa/stotra-style recitation) in protective or fierce (ugra) ritual contexts.
By cataloguing multiple specialized names (nāma-bheda) and their ordered positions (sixth, eighth), it functions like a technical index for ritual practice—typical of the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium style across mantra, iconography, and applied worship procedures.
Reciting and remembering fierce, dharma-protecting forms (e.g., Tripuraghna, Kāla) is traditionally held to remove obstacles, subdue negativity, and strengthen protective merit (rakṣā-puṇya) through disciplined invocation.