Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Ayuta–Lakṣa–Koṭi Fire-offerings (अयुतलक्षकोटिहोमाः) — Graha-yajña Vidhi
आखण्डलो ऽग्निर्भगवान् यमो वै नैरृतस् तथा वरुणः पवनश् चैव धनाध्यक्षस् तथा शिवः
ākhaṇḍalo 'gnirbhagavān yamo vai nairṛtas tathā varuṇaḥ pavanaś caiva dhanādhyakṣas tathā śivaḥ
Akhāṇḍala (Indra), Tuhan Agni yang mulia, Yama sesungguhnya, demikian juga Nairṛta; Varuṇa, serta Pavana (Vāyu); Dhanādhyakṣa (Kubera), dan juga Śiva.
Lord Agni (narrating within the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Directional and cosmic protection by invoking a set of deities (Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairṛta, Varuṇa, Vāyu, Kubera, Śiva) as guardians/witnesses in ritual preliminaries.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Protective devatā-smaraṇa: Indra–Agni–Yama–Nairṛta–Varuṇa–Vāyu–Kubera–Śiva","lookup_keywords":["devatā-smaraṇa","dikpāla","rakṣā","Indra Agni Yama","Kubera Śiva"],"quick_summary":"Recite/remember these deities as protective powers around the rite, establishing a guarded ritual space and auspicious oversight."}
Concept: Ritual space is sacralized by invoking cosmic regulators (devas of elements/directions), aligning micro-rite with macro-order (ṛta).
Application: Perform dik-rakṣā/devatā-smaraṇa at the start of worship to reduce distractions, cultivate safety, and frame the rite as cosmically witnessed.
Khanda Section: Nama-stuti and Devata-smarana (Protective invocation within ritual preliminaries)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective invocation encircling the ritual arena: eight deities envisioned around the yajña/pujā space as guardians of directions and elements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular maṇḍala with guardian deities placed around a central altar, each deity iconically rendered (Indra with vajra, Agni with flames, Yama with daṇḍa, Varuṇa with pāśa, Vāyu dynamic, Kubera wealthy, Śiva serene), bold outlines and earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ritual space with surrounding guardian deities in medallions, gold-leaf halos and ornaments, strong symmetry and auspicious richness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional directional diagram: deities positioned by quarters, labels, central altar, clean composition suitable for teaching dik-rakṣā.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical protective circle around a sacred rite, deities as celestial figures at the margins of the page, intricate detailing and balanced negative space."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आखण्डलो ऽग्निः → आखण्डलः + अग्निः. अग्निर्भगवान् → अग्निः + भगवान्. पवनश् चैव → पवनः + च + एव. धनाध्यक्षस् → धनाध्यक्षः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana puja-vidhi: dik-rakṣā, bhūta-śuddhi, nyāsa, āvaraṇa-devatā lists
FAQs
It provides a devatā-smarana (ritual recollection) list—invoking major cosmic and directional powers (Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairṛta, Varuṇa, Vāyu, Kubera, Śiva) for protection, auspiciousness, and successful completion of rites.
By cataloging key deities and guardians commonly used across pūjā, homa, and protective rites, it functions like a compact reference index of the Puranic pantheon integrated into practical ritual procedure.
Remembering and invoking these deities is treated as a purifying, obstacle-removing act that aligns the practitioner with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma), supporting merit (puṇya) and safeguarding the rite from disruptions.