Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 33
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
अनन्तेशश् च सूक्ष्मश् च तृतीयश् च शिवोक्तमः एकमूर्च्येकरूपस्तु त्रिमूर्तिरपरस् तथा
ananteśaś ca sūkṣmaś ca tṛtīyaś ca śivoktamaḥ ekamūrcyekarūpastu trimūrtiraparas tathā
«ອະນັນເຕສະ (Ananteśa)» ແລະ «ສູກສະມະ (Sūkṣma)» ແມ່ນສອງປາງ; ປາງທີ 3 ແມ່ນພຣະສິວະສູງສຸດ ດັ່ງທີ່ຄໍາສອນໄສວະໄດ້ປະກາດ. ອົງໜຶ່ງມີກາຍດຽວ ແລະຮູບດຽວ; ອີກອົງໜຶ່ງກໍເຊັ່ນກັນ ແມ່ນ «ຕຣິມູຣຕິ» ຜູ້ຮວມສາມຮູບ.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Identifying and differentiating divine forms (Ananteśa, Sūkṣma, supreme Śiva; ekamūrti vs trimūrti) for icon selection, consecration intent, and theological framing in worship and installation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ananteśa–Sūkṣma–Śiva: Ekamūrti and Trimūrti Distinction","lookup_keywords":["Ananteśa","Sūkṣma","Śiva","ekamūrti","Trimūrti"],"quick_summary":"Names specific forms and states that one is single-bodied/single-form while another is the Trimūrti, guiding how the deity is conceived and represented in worship and iconography."}
Concept: Unity and plurality of the divine: one reality expressed as single form (ekamūrti) and as triadic manifestation (trimūrti).
Application: Choose meditation and icon according to intended upāsanā—non-dual single-form contemplation or triadic cosmic-function contemplation (creation-preservation-dissolution).
Khanda Section: Shiva–Vishnu Tattva and Murti-bheda (Iconography & Theology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasting icons: an austere single-form Śiva (ekamūrti) and a composite Trimūrti representation showing three aspects unified; subtle depiction of Ananteśa and Sūkṣma as named modes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, left panel: serene single-form Śiva with minimal attributes; right panel: Trimūrti composite with three faces/halos blending, earthy reds and greens, bold outlines, temple-wall symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Trimūrti icon with heavy gold halo and embossed ornaments, flanked by smaller medallions labeled ‘Ananteśa’ and ‘Sūkṣma’, rich jewel tones, devotional grandeur.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic split composition: ekamūrti on one side, trimūrti on the other, fine linework and soft shading, labels in Devanāgarī, calm instructional aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined composite deity study: three-faced figure with delicate facial modeling, attendants holding attributes, calligraphic captions ‘ekamūrti’ and ‘trimūrti’, architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एकमूर्च्येकरूपस्तु→एकमूर्चि+एकरूपः+तु; त्रिमूर्तिरपरस्→त्रिमूर्तिः+अपरः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (Vidyeśvara-tattva and mūrti-bheda context)
FAQs
It classifies divine manifestations for worship and iconographic understanding—distinguishing a single-bodied/single-form deity (ekamūrti–ekarūpa) from a three-formed manifestation (trimūrti) used in doctrinal and temple contexts.
By cataloging theological categories and iconographic types (names/epithets and form-doctrines), it functions like a reference index for devotees, priests, and image-makers—typical of the Agni Purana’s broad, encyclopedic coverage.
Recognizing the correct form and doctrine behind a deity’s manifestation supports right-intention worship (bhāva and jñāna), which Purāṇic tradition treats as enhancing merit and reducing error in devotion.