Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
पञ्चान्तकः पञ्चशिखः कपर्दी मेघवाहनः जटामुकुटधारी च नानारत्नधरस् तथा
pañcāntakaḥ pañcaśikhaḥ kapardī meghavāhanaḥ jaṭāmukuṭadhārī ca nānāratnadharas tathā
അവൻ അഞ്ചു ബന്ധനകാരണങ്ങളുടെ സംഹാരകൻ, പഞ്ചശിഖൻ, കപർദി (ജടാധാരി) ആകുന്നു. മേഘമാണ് അവന്റെ വാഹനം; ജടാമുകുടധാരിയും നാനാവിധ രത്നങ്ങൾ ധരിക്കുന്നവനും ആകുന്നു.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Japa/archana in Shiva-puja using epithets; also guides iconographic visualization of Rudra (jata, ornaments, vehicle symbolism).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra Epithets: Pañcāntaka–Meghavāhana–Jaṭāmukuṭa","lookup_keywords":["Pañcāntaka","Pañcaśikha","Kapardī","Meghavāhana","Jaṭāmukuṭa"],"quick_summary":"A cluster of Shiva-names used in stotra recitation; they encode both theological functions (destroyer of bondage) and visual identifiers (matted locks, jeweled adornment, cloud-vehicle imagery)."}
Alamkara Type: Bahuvrīhi-nāmaśailī (epithetic compounding)
Concept: Bondage is multi-sourced and is destroyed by Rudra (Pañcāntaka); the same Lord is both ascetic (jaṭā) and sovereign (ratna).
Application: In meditation, contemplate Shiva as the remover of inner fetters while holding the paradox of renunciation and lordship to steady the mind.
Khanda Section: Shiva-sahasranama / Rudra-stotra (Names and epithets of Shiva)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Shiva/Rudra with a crown-like mass of matted locks, adorned with many jewels, riding or emerging with cloud imagery; a fierce yet auspicious presence signifying the destruction of five bondages.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural of Rudra with dark-blue/ash-toned body, jaṭāmukuṭa, kaparda hair, multiple gem ornaments, surrounded by stylized monsoon clouds, sacred aura, traditional flat shading and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Shiva with jaṭāmukuṭa and heavy ratna-ābharaṇas, gold foil highlights on crown and jewelry, cloud-vāhana motif behind, frontal iconic composition, rich red-green palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style depiction emphasizing fine linework: Shiva’s jaṭā arranged as mukuṭa, detailed jewel patterns, soft cloud backdrop, calm yet powerful gaze, instructional clarity of ornaments and hair arrangement.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of ascetic-king Shiva adorned with jewels, seated amid swirling clouds, delicate textile and gem detailing, subtle shading, halo, landscape margin with stormy sky."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नानारत्नधरस् तथा → nānāratnadharaḥ tathā (स् + त → ः त). अन्यत्र पदच्छेदः समास-विग्रहानुसारः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84 (Shiva-sahasranama / Rudra-stotra context)
FAQs
This verse functions as nama-japa/stotra material: it provides specific epithets of Shiva used for devotional recitation and contemplative visualization (dhyāna) of Rudra’s form and attributes.
Alongside ritual manuals and practical sciences, the Agni Purana preserves liturgical corpora (stotras and name-lists) that codify theology and iconographic identifiers—here, Shiva’s hair, adornments, and symbolic titles used in worship and textual tradition.
Reciting Shiva’s names is traditionally held to purify the mind, strengthen devotion, and remove obstacles; the epithets emphasize Rudra as the remover of bondage and the auspicious Lord worthy of remembrance.