Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 8
Chapter 300 — सूर्यार्चनम्
Worship of Sūrya
घोषासृक्प्राणधात्वर्दी दण्डी गार्तण्डभैरवः धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां कर्ता विम्बपुटावृतः
ghoṣāsṛkprāṇadhātvardī daṇḍī gārtaṇḍabhairavaḥ dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ kartā vimbapuṭāvṛtaḥ
वह घोष (मन्त्रध्वनि), रक्त, प्राण और धातुओं का वर्धक; दण्डधारी, गार्तण्ड-भैरव (सूर्यसदृश भैरव); धर्म-अर्थ-काम-मोक्ष—इन चार पुरुषार्थों का दाता, तथा विम्बपुट से आवृत है।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Nama-stotra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Used for japa/recitation as a name-epithet cluster describing a Bhairava form and its promised fruits (puruṣārtha-bestowal).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Bhairava epithets: Ghoṣa-prāṇa-dhātu-vardhī, Daṇḍī, Gārtaṇḍa-bhairava, Puruṣārtha-kartā","lookup_keywords":["Bhairava","daṇḍī","gārtaṇḍa","puruṣārtha","dhātu-vṛddhi"],"quick_summary":"A compact name-list portraying Bhairava as energizer of mantra-sound and vital constituents, wielder of chastising staff, sun-like terrifying protector, and giver of dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa."}
Alamkara Type: Bahuvrihi (epithetic compounds)
Concept: Stotra-nāma recitation links guṇa (qualities) to phala (results), integrating worldly aims and liberation under a single devatā-sādhana.
Application: Use as a dhyāna-nāma sequence in japa/nyāsa; contemplate staff-bearing discipline (daṇḍa) and solar clarity to align conduct toward the four puruṣārthas.
Khanda Section: Nama-stotra / Devata-nama-vyakhya (Tantric-ritual epithets and salvific fruits)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fierce, sun-radiant Bhairava holding a staff, encircled by a glowing orb/mandala; sound-waves (ghoṣa) emanate, symbolizing prāṇa and dhātu increase; four puruṣārthas shown as emblems around him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of Daṇḍī Bhairava with solar halo, dark-fierce complexion with radiant aureole, staff in hand, concentric mandala enclosure, stylized sound-waves, symbolic icons for dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa around.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore Bhairava with embossed gold sun-halo and circular mandala frame, staff prominent, intense eyes, surrounding medallions labeled dharma/artha/kāma/mokṣa, rich reds and blacks with gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting emphasizing iconographic clarity: Bhairava with daṇḍa, sun-like halo, circular enclosure (vimbapuṭa), small corner panels depicting the four puruṣārthas; fine lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a fierce ascetic-deity Bhairava in a radiant circular nimbus, holding a staff, with calligraphic sound-lines and symbolic objects for the four aims; detailed landscape with twilight sky."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: घोषासृक्प्राणधात्वर्दी = घोष-असृक्-प्राण-धातु-अर्दी; गार्तण्डभैरवः = गार्तण्ड-भैरवः; धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां = धर्म-अर्थ-काम-मोक्षाणाम्; विम्बपुटावृतः = विम्ब-पुट-आवृतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 300 (Nāma-stotra/devatā-nāma-vyākhyā section)
FAQs
It encodes a stotra-style identification of the deity as (1) enhancer of vitality (prāṇa) and bodily dhātus (Ayurvedic physiology) and (2) daṇḍī (the regulator who enforces dharma), indicating the ritual aim: protection, strengthening, and disciplined conduct through mantra-recitation.
In a single line it blends Tantric-theological naming (Bhairava epithets), classical Purāṇic goals (the four puruṣārthas), and Ayurvedic technical vocabulary (dhātu, prāṇa, asṛk), showing how the Agni Purana integrates ritual devotion with practical frameworks of health and ethics.
By praising the deity as the giver of all four puruṣārthas, the verse frames devotion as a complete path: it purifies conduct (dharma), supports rightful prosperity (artha), regulates desire (kāma), and culminates in liberation (mokṣa).