Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 8
Saṃskāra-kathana
Account of the Saṃskāras
हिरण्याङ्घ्रिर्हिरण्याक्षो हिरण्यमित्र इत्य् अतः सप्त च इति ग, ख, चिह्नितपुस्त्कद्वयपाठः हिरण्यपाणिर्हेमाक्षो हेमाङ्गो हेमसूत्रकः
hiraṇyāṅghrirhiraṇyākṣo hiraṇyamitra ity ataḥ sapta ca iti ga, kha, cihnitapustkadvayapāṭhaḥ hiraṇyapāṇirhemākṣo hemāṅgo hemasūtrakaḥ
‘ಸುವರ್ಣಪಾದ’, ‘ಸುವರ್ಣನೇತ್ರ’ ಮತ್ತು ‘ಸುವರ್ಣಮಿತ್ರ’—ಇಲ್ಲಿವರೆಗೆ ಏಳು (ನಾಮಗಳು) ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ; ಗ-ಖ ಗುರುತಿನ ಎರಡು ಹಸ್ತಪ್ರತಿಗಳ ಪಾಠ ಇದೇ. ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಪಾಠದಲ್ಲಿ—‘ಸುವರ್ಣಹಸ್ತ’, ‘ಸುವರ್ಣನೇತ್ರ’, ‘ಸುವರ್ಣಾಂಗ’ ಮತ್ತು ‘ಸುವರ್ಣಸೂತ್ರಧಾರಿ’.
Lord Agni (narrating in the Agni Purana’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Selecting and reciting correct epithets (nāma) for japa/stotra; also noting textual variants across recensions for accurate liturgical use.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Hiraṇya-/Hema-nāmāni (Golden epithets) and pāṭha-bheda","lookup_keywords":["hiraṇya","hema","nāma-stotra","pāṭha-bheda","japa"],"quick_summary":"Provides a cluster of ‘golden’ epithets used in praise/japa and records variant readings across manuscripts, guiding correct liturgical recitation."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (repetition of hiraṇya-/hema-), Yamaka-like echoing
Concept: Nāma-japa/stuti as a means of invoking tejas (splendour) and auspiciousness; fidelity to pāṭha as part of sādhana-discipline.
Application: Choose one consistent recension for daily japa; keep a stable nāma-list to avoid mixing variants during formal pūjā.
Khanda Section: Nama-stotra / Devata-nama-nirdesha (lists of epithets used in japa and praise)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript desk with two palm-leaf manuscripts marked ‘ga’ and ‘kha’; a scribe comparing readings while a radiant deity with golden limbs is envisioned behind, symbolizing the ‘hiraṇya/hema’ epithets.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scribe-sage seated with palm-leaf manuscripts, stylized script marks, behind him a glowing deity with golden highlights on feet/eyes/hands, deep red and ochre background, temple-lamp ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central radiant deity with gold foil on limbs and ornaments, side panel showing palm-leaf manuscripts and a stylus, ornate arch and heavy gold work emphasizing ‘hiraṇya/hema’","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, neat scholarly scene: pundit comparing two manuscripts labeled ga/kha, speech-scroll listing epithets (hiraṇyāṅghri, hiraṇyākṣa, etc.), soft colors and precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with calligrapher and manuscripts, luminous deity apparition in the background, fine gold accents, marginalia indicating variant readings"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हिरण्याङ्घ्रिःहिरण्याक्षः = हिरण्याङ्घ्रिः + हिरण्याक्षः; इत्य् अतः = इति + अतः; हिरण्यपाणिःहेमाक्षः = हिरण्यपाणिः + हेमाक्षः; हेमाङ्गः = हेम + अङ्गः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Nama-stotra and devatā-nāma-nirdeśa passages in the same adhyāya; Agni Purana: mantra-lakṣaṇa and japa-vidhi discussions elsewhere
FAQs
It preserves a calibrated list of divine epithets for stotra/japa usage and explicitly records a manuscript-variant count (“seven names”)—a practical aid for correct recitation and textual transmission.
Beyond devotion, it functions as philological documentation: it notes alternate readings across manuscripts (ga/kha), showing the Purana’s role as a compendium that also preserves textual traditions and recensional differences.
Reciting and remembering auspicious epithets associated with radiance and prosperity (hiraṇya/hema) is traditionally held to purify speech and mind, support focused worship, and accrue merit through accurate praise and disciplined japa.