Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 25
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
चन्द्रार्धनादनादान्तं ब्रह्मविष्णुविभूशित उदधिं नरसिंहञ्च सूर्यमात्राविभेदितम्
candrārdhanādanādāntaṃ brahmaviṣṇuvibhūśita udadhiṃ narasiṃhañca sūryamātrāvibheditam
Aku merenungkan wujud yang berawal dengan bulan sabit dan nāda, tanpa awal maupun akhir; dihiasi oleh Brahmā dan Viṣṇu; luas bagaikan samudra; dan itulah Narasiṃha, yang dibedakan oleh ukuran/kemilau Sang Surya.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Dhyāna for Narasiṃha: use the described marks (crescent/nāda), cosmic vastness (ocean-like), and solar radiance as visualization anchors during japa and protective worship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Narasiṃha Dhyāna: Crescent–Nāda, Oceanic Vastness, Solar Measure","lookup_keywords":["Narasimha","dhyana","ardhacandra","nada","suryamatra"],"quick_summary":"A contemplative description for visualizing Narasiṃha as beginning with crescent-and-nāda symbolism, limitless, honored by Brahmā and Viṣṇu, vast as the ocean, and distinguished by sun-like radiance—supporting focused mantra-dhyāna."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile)
Concept: Dhyāna as a bridge between symbol (crescent/nāda), cosmic infinitude, and embodied devotion; the deity is contemplated as limitless consciousness with manifest tejas.
Application: In meditation, fix attention on the crescent-and-nāda sign above the form, expand awareness ‘like the ocean,’ and stabilize the image with sun-like radiance to deepen one-pointedness (ekāgratā).
Khanda Section: Stotra / Dhyana (Iconographic-visualization of deities; Purana-style hymnography)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Narasiṃha as a limitless, ocean-like cosmic presence, crowned/marked with crescent and nāda, blazing with sun-measure radiance, with Brahmā and Viṣṇu in attendance as adorning figures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of Narasiṃha with a crescent-and-nāda emblem above the crown, immense ocean-like blue aura behind, Brahmā and Viṣṇu flanking with offerings, strong tejas highlights, traditional mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Narasiṃha with gold-leaf prabhāmaṇḍala like the sun, crescent-and-nāda jewel motif above, deep blue oceanic backdrop, Brahmā and Viṣṇu as attendant figures, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting emphasizing dhyāna clarity: Narasiṃha centered with labeled crescent/nāda symbol, graded halo showing ‘sūrya-mātrā’ radiance, calm attendants Brahmā-Viṣṇu, neat composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: Narasiṃha enthroned with delicate crescent-and-nāda sign, expansive sea and sky as metaphorical backdrop, Brahmā and Viṣṇu in refined courtly attendance, fine gold detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: candrārdhanādanādāntaṃ → candra-ardha-nāda-nāda-antam; brahmaviṣṇuvibhūśita → brahma-viṣṇu-vibhūśitam; narasiṃhañca → narasiṃham ca; sūryamātrāvibheditam → sūrya-mātrā-vibheditam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (stotra/dhyāna continuation from varṇamālā-mantra section); Agni Purana Narasiṃha-related stotra/mantra passages (general)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditational specification): visualize a beginningless, endless divine form associated with lunar emblem (crescent), sacred sound (nāda), attended by Brahmā and Viṣṇu, ocean-vast, and radiant like the Sun—supporting mantra-japa and focused contemplation of Nṛsiṃha.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical devotional technologies—stotra and dhyāna—using cosmographic (ocean), astronomical (Sun/Moon), and theological (Brahmā–Viṣṇu) markers to systematize meditation and iconographic understanding.
Such dhyāna-oriented praise is traditionally held to purify the mind, stabilize concentration, and invoke protective grace—especially through Nṛsiṃha—thereby reducing fear and obstacles and supporting merit (puṇya) through disciplined remembrance.