Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 34
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
नृणां रोमाञ्चजननी वाहनानां भयप्रदा ज्वालानला सूर्यमुखी विज्ञेया भयवर्धनी
nṛṇāṃ romāñcajananī vāhanānāṃ bhayapradā jvālānalā sūryamukhī vijñeyā bhayavardhanī
Dia dikenali sebagai punca bulu roma meremang pada manusia dan pemberi ketakutan kepada tunggangan serta kenderaan. Sebagai Jvālānalā—nyala dan api—dan sebagai Sūryamukhī, “berwajah matahari”, dia hendaklah difahami sebagai yang menambah ketakutan.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s instructional material to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/terrific Devī-name contemplation in nyāsa or kavaca contexts to induce fear in adversaries and stabilize the practitioner’s resolve.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī nāma-litanī: Jvālānalā and Sūryamukhī as fear-increasing forms","lookup_keywords":["Devī","Jvālānalā","Sūryamukhī","bhaya","romāñca"],"quick_summary":"The verse identifies fierce Devī epithets whose contemplation is said to generate horripilation and fear, functioning as a bhaya-vardhana (terror-increasing) protective power."}
Concept: Śakti as both protective and terrifying; nāma-rūpa contemplation is treated as efficacious power (śabda-śakti).
Application: Use these epithets in controlled ritual contexts (nyāsa/kavaca/japa) to cultivate fearlessness in oneself and deterrence toward threats; avoid casual use that agitates the mind.
Khanda Section: Tantra / Shakti-Mantra-vidya (Protective and fear-inducing Devī forms; mantra-nyāsa and deity-name litany)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing, sun-faced Devī radiating flames; men and animals/vehicles recoil in fear; the atmosphere is incandescent and protective yet terrifying.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fierce Devī with sun-disc face and flame aura, red-orange palette, attendants recoiling, stylized fire motifs, bold eyes, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with heavy gold halo like a sun, embossed flames, Devī in ugra posture, rich ornaments, subdued fearful figures at the bottom edge.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework: Devī labeled Jvālānalā/Sūryamukhī, diagrammatic nyāsa cues (body points) subtly indicated, controlled fiery glow.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic chiaroscuro with flames, sun-faced goddess central, frightened horses/elephants turning away, fine detailing of fire and jewelry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: romāñcajananī → romāñca-jananī; bhayapradā → bhaya-pradā; jvālānalā → jvālā-analā; sūryamukhī → sūrya-mukhī; bhayavardhanī → bhaya-vardhanī.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Tantra sections on Devī-nāma, nyāsa, kavaca, and rakṣā-vidhi
FAQs
It provides identifying epithets and functional attributes of a Devī-form used in mantra-vidyā: a blazing, sun-radiant power that induces भय (fear) and overwhelms opponents (even their mounts/vehicles), useful in protective or subjugating ritual contexts.
Alongside topics like law, polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also catalogs mantra-vidyā through concise deity-name litanies that encode ritual “functions” (e.g., fear-induction, protection), showing its wide spectrum of applied religious knowledge.
Contemplating and invoking such Devī-forms is framed as harnessing divine śakti for dharmic protection and removal of hostile forces; when used with restraint and right intent, it is treated as a means of safeguarding oneself and maintaining order.