Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 10
Trailokya-mohinī Śrī-Lakṣmī-ādi-pūjā and Durgā-yoga
Protective and Siddhi Rites
ध्येयास्ते पद्मपत्रेषु शङ्खचक्रगदाधराः अञ्जनक्षीरकाश्मीरहेमाभास्ते सुवाससः
dhyeyāste padmapatreṣu śaṅkhacakragadādharāḥ añjanakṣīrakāśmīrahemābhāste suvāsasaḥ
Mereka hendaknya direnungkan berdiri di atas kelopak teratai, memegang śaṅkha, cakra, dan gadā; sinar mereka bagaikan hitamnya anjana, putihnya susu, warna saffron, dan kilau emas, serta berbusana indah.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana narration style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Dhyāna-lakṣaṇa for the Caturvyūha/Vaiṣṇava forms: visualize each on lotus petals with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā and distinct radiances; used to stabilize mantra-japa and āvaraṇa-pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Lotus-petal dhyāna of śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-bearing forms with four radiances","lookup_keywords":["padmapatra","śaṅkha-cakra-gadā","añjana","kṣīra","kāśmīra","hema"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on the forms standing on lotus petals, holding conch-disc-mace, and shining in four specified hues (collyrium-black, milk-white, saffron, gold); this gives a precise visualization key for ritual concentration."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Form-based meditation (sākāra-upāsanā) uses precise attributes and colors to anchor the mind and invoke the deity’s presence.
Application: During japa, cycle attention through (1) lotus-petal seat, (2) weapons, (3) hue/tejas, (4) garments—preventing mental drift.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Dhyana-yoga (Vishnu-dhyana in ritual visualization)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four divine forms on lotus petals, each holding conch, discus, and mace, distinguished by four radiances—black like collyrium, white like milk, saffron, and gold—wearing splendid garments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: four standing Vaiṣṇava forms on lotus petals, bold outlines; each with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā; distinct aura colors (deep black-blue, milky white, saffron orange, golden yellow); symmetrical mandala layout.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: four deities on lotus petals with embossed gold halos; conch-disc-mace prominent; garments richly patterned; background with gold leaf, jewel tones emphasizing the four radiances.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined shading and delicate faces; instructional panel showing four color-coded forms on lotus petals, each labeled by hue (añjana/kṣīra/kāśmīra/hema) and weapons.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: four luminous figures on stylized lotus petals in a garden-like mandala court; fine textile detail; subtle gradations for the four radiances; ornate border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्येयास्ते = ध्येयाः + ते; हेमाभास्ते = हेमाभाः + ते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 307 (dhyāna/nyāsa of lotus-maṇḍala deities)
FAQs
It teaches a dhyāna-technique used in pūjā: visualize the deity/forms on lotus-petals with the canonical emblems (conch, discus, mace) and specific color-radiances to stabilize concentration and ritual mental worship.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves practical liturgical and iconographic specifications—how to meditate on form, attributes, and hues—showing the text’s coverage of ritual technology (pūjā-vidhi and dhyāna-lakṣaṇa) alongside other sciences.
Such precise dhyāna is held to purify the mind, make worship effective, and align the devotee with the deity’s auspicious qualities, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and inner steadiness in devotion.