Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 35
Ayuta–Lakṣa–Koṭi Fire-offerings (अयुतलक्षकोटिहोमाः) — Graha-yajña Vidhi
चतुर्हस्तं द्विहस्तं वा तार्क्षञ्चात्राधिकं यजेत् सामध्वनिशीरस्त्वं वाहनं पमेष्ठिनः
caturhastaṃ dvihastaṃ vā tārkṣañcātrādhikaṃ yajet sāmadhvaniśīrastvaṃ vāhanaṃ pameṣṭhinaḥ
Di sini hendaklah dipuja Tārkṣya (Garuḍa), sama ada dalam rupa bertangan empat, atau bertangan dua, ataupun dalam rupa yang lebih luhur lagi. Wahai engkau yang kepalanya dihiasi gema nyanyian Sāman, engkaulah wahana Pameṣṭhin (Brahmā).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Guiding worship and iconographic options for Tārkṣya (Garuḍa)—two-armed, four-armed, or augmented forms—along with a praise identifying him as Brahmā’s vehicle and linked to Sāman resonance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Tārkṣya (Garuḍa) Worship: Two-armed/Four-armed/Augmented Forms","lookup_keywords":["Tārkṣya","Garuḍa","caturhasta","dvihasta","Pameṣṭhin (Brahmā)"],"quick_summary":"The verse authorizes multiple iconographic forms of Garuḍa for worship and frames him with a stuti: resonant with Sāman-chants and serving as the vāhana of Pameṣṭhin (Brahmā)."}
Alamkara Type: Epithets (nāma-guṇa-kīrtana) / stuti-style praise
Concept: Upāsanā accommodates multiple sanctioned forms (rūpa-bheda) while preserving deity-tattva through names, functions, and sacred associations (Sāman, vāhana).
Application: When commissioning/choosing a Garuḍa image for worship, select a two-armed or four-armed form as per tradition and accompany worship with identifying stuti.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography and Deity-Worship Procedures)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An altar or shrine where Garuḍa (Tārkṣya) is worshipped; alternative depictions show him as two-armed and four-armed, radiant and exalted; subtle musical motif indicating Sāman resonance; Brahmā association implied through symbols (kamandalu, lotus, or hamsa motifs nearby).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: majestic Garuḍa with golden-brown wings, either dvihasta or caturhasta, standing in añjali-ready posture near a shrine, stylized Sāman sound waves as decorative bands, traditional flat perspective and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Garuḍa icon with embossed gold on ornaments and wings, optional four arms holding traditional emblems, rich jewel tones, devotional shrine setting with lamps and offerings.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean iconographic presentation comparing two-armed and four-armed Garuḍa variants side-by-side, fine linework, soft colors, emphasis on attributes and posture for worship.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly devotional scene with a painted Garuḍa icon, musicians or chanters suggesting Sāman resonance, delicate detailing of feathers and textiles, restrained palette with fine ornament."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तार्क्षञ्चात्राधिकम् = तार्क्षम् च अत्र अधिकम्; चतुर्हस्तम् = चतुर्-हस्तम् (र् + ह); शीरस्त्वम् = शीरस् + त्वम् (स् + त्व → स्त्व)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mūrti-lakṣaṇa and devatā-pratimā sections (iconography chapters); Agni Purana: pūjā-vidhi sequences for attendant deities/vāhanas
FAQs
It gives a pūjā-vidhi option for visualizing and worshiping Tārkṣya (Garuḍa) in different iconographic forms (two-armed, four-armed, or an augmented form) and identifies his role as the vahana (mount) of Pameṣṭhin (Brahmā).
By recording practical temple/ritual details—iconographic variants, liturgical associations (Sāman sound), and deity-vehicle theology—it functions like a ritual manual embedded within a Purāṇa, illustrating the text’s wide coverage beyond narrative mythology.
Correct form-based worship (yajana/pūjā) aligned with Vedic sanctity (Sāman resonance) is presented as a purifying act that harmonizes the worshiper with divine order and earns ritual merit through properly constituted devotion.