Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 13

Trailokya-mohinī Śrī-Lakṣmī-ādi-pūjā and Durgā-yoga

Protective and Siddhi Rites

Devanagari script

दक्षिणाभयहस्ताभां वामहस्तवरप्रदां श्वेतगन्धांशुकामेकरौम्यमालास्त्रधारिणीं

Transliteration

dakṣiṇābhayahastābhāṃ vāmahastavarapradāṃ śvetagandhāṃśukāmekaraumyamālāstradhāriṇīṃ

Translation

Dengan tangan kanannya memperlihatkan mudrā Abhaya (tanpa takut), dan tangan kirinya menganugerahkan kurnia; berpakaian putih yang harum; mengenakan satu kalungan bertuah serta memegang senjata-senjata.

Word by Word

• dakṣiṇa-abhaya-hastābhyām: with (her) right hand (in) the fear-dispelling gesture
• dakṣiṇa-abhaya-hastābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + abhaya (प्रातिपदिक) + hasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे (Feminine) तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd) द्विवचन (Dual); समासः—तत्पुरुषः; ‘दक्षिणे अभयहस्ते’ इति (with the right hand showing fearlessness)

• vāma-hasta-vara-pradām: (her) who grants boons with the left hand
• vāma-hasta-vara-pradām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक) + hasta (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक) + pradā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे (Feminine) द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd) एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुषः; ‘वामहस्तेन वरं प्रददाति’ इति (granting boons with the left hand)

• śveta-gandha-aṃśuka-āmeka-raumiya-mālā-astra-dhāriṇīm: (her) who bears white fragrant garments/ornaments, a woollen garland, and weapons
• śveta-gandha-aṃśuka-āmeka-raumiya-mālā-astra-dhāriṇīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śveta (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + aṃśuka (प्रातिपदिक) + āmeka (प्रातिपदिक) + raumiya (प्रातिपदिक) + mālā (प्रातिपदिक) + astra (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāriṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे (Feminine) द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd) एकवचन (Singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः; ‘श्वेतगन्धयुक्तं अंशुकं, आमेकं, रौमियं, मालां, अस्त्रं च धारयन्ती’ इति (bearing white fragrant garments/ornaments, a woollen garland, and weapons)

Speaker

Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Devi-dhyana for puja: visualize the correct mudras, dress, ornaments, and weapons before worship and mantra-japa.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Devi/Durga Dhyana-Lakshana: Abhaya–Varada, Shveta-vastra, Mala, Astra","lookup_keywords":["Durga dhyana","abhaya mudra","varada mudra","shveta vastra","astra-dharini"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a compact iconographic template for meditating on the Goddess: right hand(s) in abhaya, left granting boons, white fragrant garments, auspicious garland, and weapons—used as the mental image prior to worship."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dhyana as the foundation of effective puja: form-visualization (rupa) stabilizes devotion and intention (sankalpa).

Application: Use the described form as the standardized mental image during āvāhana and japa to maintain ekāgratā (one-pointedness).

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Devi/Durga iconography and dhyana-lakshana)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene Devi/Durga seated or standing, right hand in abhaya, left in varada, wearing white fragrant garments, a single auspicious garland, and holding weapons; aura of protection and blessing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Devi/Durga with abhaya and varada mudras, white garments with subtle floral perfume motifs, single garland, multiple weapons, flat vibrant colors, ornate jewelry, sacred halo, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Devi/Durga with abhaya-varada, white silk attire, heavy gold ornaments and embossed prabhavali, single garland, weapons rendered with gold highlights, rich red-green background, devotional icon panel","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft shading, Devi/Durga in white garments, clear depiction of abhaya and varada, single garland, weapons neatly arranged, calm face, minimal background with decorative arch","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, goddess figure with delicate facial features, white perfumed robe, single garland, weapons in hands, fine textile patterns, subtle halo, courtly palette, detailed borders"}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: दक्षिणाभयहस्ताभां = dakṣiṇa-abhaya-hastābhyām; वामहस्तवरप्रदां = vāma-hasta-vara-pradām; श्वेतगन्धांशुकामेकरौम्यमालास्त्रधारिणीं treated as a multi-member tatpuruṣa compound ending in धारीणीम्.

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 307 (Puja-vidhi: Devi-dhyana and abhyarcana context)

Characters & Entities

• Devī (Goddess)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It gives dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditation/iconographic specification) for the Devī image: abhaya-mudrā, vara-pradāna (boon-giving hand), white fragrant garments, and the carrying of garland and weapons—used for pratimā-nirmāṇa and pūjā visualization.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Alongside governance, medicine, and warfare, the Agni Purana also preserves precise temple-ritual and iconography manuals; this verse is a compact specification for how a Goddess form should be visualized and represented in worship and image-making.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Meditating on the Devī as fear-dispelling (abhaya) and boon-bestowing (vara-pradā) supports protection, confidence, and devotional merit, aligning the worshipper’s mind with her auspicious and safeguarding power.