Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 25
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
चतुर्मुखं चतुर्वाहुं द्वाभ्याञ्च कलसन्दधत् वरदाभयकं द्वाभ्यां स्नायाद्वैकुम्भमुद्रया
caturmukhaṃ caturvāhuṃ dvābhyāñca kalasandadhat varadābhayakaṃ dvābhyāṃ snāyādvaikumbhamudrayā
神（または尊像）を四面四臂として観じつつ沐浴（スナーナ）を行うべきである。二手はカラシャ（水瓶）を据え/持ち、他の二手は施願印（ヴァラダ）と無畏印（アバヤ）を示し、ヴァイクンタ（Vaikuṇṭha）ムドラーにおいて沐浴を修する。
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Murti-dhyāna and abhiṣeka: visualize/establish a four-faced, four-armed form with specific hand-functions (kalasa-holding; varada/abhaya), and perform bathing with Vaikuṇbha-mudrā for consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Caturmukha-caturbhuja-dhyāna with Kalasa-hasta and Varada-Abhaya; Vaikuṇbha-mudrā Abhiṣeka","lookup_keywords":["caturmukha","caturbhuja","varada","abhaya","abhiṣeka"],"quick_summary":"For abhiṣeka, contemplate the deity as four-faced and four-armed: two hands with pitchers, two in varada and abhaya; bathe while employing Vaikuṇbha-mudrā."}
Concept: Dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (precise form) guides kriyā (abhiṣeka); gestures embody grace (varada) and protection (abhaya).
Application: During abhiṣeka, keep the visualization synchronized with hand-gestures and kalasa handling to maintain ritual coherence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Murti-dhyana and Abhisheka-vidhana)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a sanctum, a four-faced, four-armed deity is bathed: two hands hold water pitchers, two hands show varada and abhaya; priests pour water in a steady stream while forming Vaikuṇbha-mudrā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal caturmukha deity with four arms, clear varada/abhaya, twin kalasas, abhiṣeka stream stylized, deep reds/ochres, temple interior framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity with four faces and four arms, gold foil on ornaments and halo, priests with kalasas, abhiṣeka rendered as pearl-like streams, ornate arch backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework emphasizing hand-gestures (varada/abhaya) and kalasa placement, calm sanctum scene, soft pastel palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed temple interior with pillars, priests performing abhiṣeka, multi-faced deity rendered with careful symmetry, delicate textiles and vessels, subtle light."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kalasandadhat = kalasam + dadhat; snāyādvaikumbhamudrayā = snāyāt + vai-kumbha-mudrayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (mudrā-vidhi; pūjā-vidhi); Agni Purana 326 (devālaya context for worship)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific abhiṣeka (ritual bathing) procedure using iconographic hand-positions: two hands with a kalaśa (water vessel) and two hands in varada and abhaya mudrās, performed with the Vaikuṇṭha-associated mudrā.
Beyond mythology, it encodes practical temple-ritual and iconographic standards—detailing how a deity’s form and mudrās are to be ritually enacted during abhiṣeka—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied liturgy and worship-technology.
Performing abhiṣeka with correct mudrā and devotional iconography is held to purify the worshipper, stabilize concentration (dhyāna), and invoke the deity’s grace symbolized by varada (bestowal) and abhaya (protection).