Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 45
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
ऐरावतो महापद्मः कम्बलाश्वतरावुभौ शङ्खः कर्कोटकश् चैव धृतराष्ट्रो धनञ्जयः
airāvato mahāpadmaḥ kambalāśvatarāvubhau śaṅkhaḥ karkoṭakaś caiva dhṛtarāṣṭro dhanañjayaḥ
Airāvata, Mahāpadma, Kambala dan Aśvatara (kedua-duanya), serta Śaṅkha, Karkoṭaka, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, dan Dhanañjaya—itulah (antara) nama-nama para Nāga.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Reference list for nāga-loka taxonomy used in cosmographic narration, ritual address (nāga-bali/śānti), and iconographic identification of serpent-kings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Principal Nāgas (serpent-kings) roster","lookup_keywords":["Airāvata nāga","Mahāpadma","Kambala","Aśvatara","Karkoṭaka"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates notable Nāgas as a cosmographic catalogue. Useful for ritual invocation, mythic geography, and identifying nāga names across Purāṇic narratives."}
Khanda Section: Naga-loka & Patalādivarṇana (Cosmography and lists of beings)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmographic register showing the principal Nāga kings named in a formal lineup or as a court in Nāga-loka, each distinguished by hood patterns and ornaments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, underworld palace with jewel tones; eight nāga-kings in ordered row, multi-hooded canopies, stylized scales; lotus ponds and subterranean gems; calm, ceremonial mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed nāga hoods and ornaments; nāga court with jeweled throne; each nāga labeled by name on a small cartouche; rich reds/greens and heavy halo work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity; eight nāgas arranged with distinct hood counts/patterns; subtle background of pātāla caves and water; emphasis on identification and taxonomy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fantastical subterranean court; delicate rendering of scales and textiles; nāga figures partly anthropomorphic with hooded canopies; ornate architecture and gem-lit ambiance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कम्बलाश्वतरावुभौ = कम्बलः + अश्वतरः + उभौ; कर्कोटकश् चैव = कर्कोटकः + च + एव; धृतराष्ट्रो = धृतराष्ट्रः (visarga sandhi before voiced consonant in recitation/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (nāga lists and rakṣā context)
FAQs
This verse imparts cosmographic cataloguing (a Puranic ‘vidyā’ of classification): it enumerates principal Nāgas by name for recognition within underworld (Pātāla) lore and related recitations.
By preserving structured lists of mythic entities (Nāgas) as reference data, it functions like a gazetteer/catalogue—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark encyclopedic modes alongside its sections on ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
Remembering and reciting sacred catalogues of beings and realms is traditionally treated as a purifying act that strengthens scriptural memory (smṛti) and aligns the listener with the Purāṇic cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).