Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 4
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
ॐ भूर्नमो भगवते वराहाय नराधिपाः जवारुणहरिद्राभा नीलश्यामललोहिताः
oṃ bhūrnamo bhagavate varāhāya narādhipāḥ javāruṇaharidrābhā nīlaśyāmalalohitāḥ
ഓം। ഭഗവാൻ വരാഹനു നമസ്കാരം. ഹേ നരാധിപന്മാരേ, അവന്റെ രൂപങ്ങൾ ജപാപുഷ്പചുവപ്പും ഹരിദ്രാസുവർണാഭയും, കൂടാതെ നീല, ശ്യാമള, ലോഹിത വർണങ്ങളായും പ്രത്യക്ഷമാകുന്നു।
Lord Agni (narrating the mantra/dhyana material, addressed to kings as audience within the discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Varāha-invocation in pūjā: japa, nyāsa/dhyāna, and color-visualization for iṣṭa-devatā-sākṣātkāra and protection.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Varāha-namaskāra with varṇa (color) dhyāna","lookup_keywords":["Varaha","Om bhur","namo bhagavate","dhyana","varna"],"quick_summary":"A salutation-mantra to Bhagavān Varāha, paired with dhyāna of multiple divine hues; used to steady visualization and invoke protective presence in worship."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (dhyāna-visualization) with varṇa-varṇana; also enumerative listing (saṅkhyāna).
Concept: Mantra-dhyāna: nāma with rūpa/varṇa contemplation to stabilize mind and invoke devatā-śakti.
Application: During pūjā, recite the mantra while fixing the chosen hue-form of Varāha; use as a protective prelude before offerings and nyāsa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-stotra (Varaha invocation and deity-dhyana)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worship scene where a kingly audience hears the Varāha-invocation; Varāha appears in successive luminous hues—hibiscus-red, turmeric-gold, dark-blue, dusky green, and ruddy red—radiating protective aura.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Bhagavān Varāha in layered color-forms (japa-red, haridrā-gold, nīla-śyāma, harita-śyāma, lohita), bold outlines, flat saturated pigments, lotus motifs, devotees in añjali, sacred aura behind the deity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Varāha with multiple halo rings indicating different hues, rich gold leaf work on ornaments and prabhāmaṇḍala, deep red and green background, small kneeling kings at bottom, temple lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, soft shading, Varāha shown with sequential color panels or subtle gradient aura, manuscript-like margins with mantra text ‘ॐ भूर्नमो भगवते वराहाय’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting with kings listening, a visionary Varāha apparition in the sky with five distinct color glows, fine detailing, architectural pavilion, restrained palette with highlighted reds and golds."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भूर्नमो = भूः + नमः (विसर्ग-लोप/रुत्व); जवारुणहरिद्राभा = जवा + अरुण + हरिद्रा + आभाः (समास/सन्धि-समुच्चय); नीलश्यामललोहिताः = नील + श्यामल + लोहिताः (समास/सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (Pūjā-vidhi / mantra-stotra section continuing into bīja/mātṛkā discussion)
FAQs
It provides a mantra-style salutation and a dhyāna cue: Varāha is to be contemplated through specific color-hues, a standard ritual technique for visualization in pūjā and japa.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical liturgical details—mantra phrasing and iconographic descriptors (colors for meditation)—showing how the text functions as a handbook for worship practice.
Saluting and meditating on Bhagavān Varāha is presented as a purificatory act that steadies devotion and supports dharma-oriented rulership (addressed to kings).