Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 22
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
श्वेता रक्ता सिता पीता श्यामा वह्निनिभाषिता कृष्णारुणाश् च ताः शक्तीर्ज्वालारूपाः स्मरेत् क्रमात्
śvetā raktā sitā pītā śyāmā vahninibhāṣitā kṛṣṇāruṇāś ca tāḥ śaktīrjvālārūpāḥ smaret kramāt
ସେହି ଶକ୍ତିମାନଙ୍କୁ କ୍ରମେ ଧ୍ୟାନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ—ଶ୍ୱେତ, ରକ୍ତ, ସିତ (ଧବଳ), ପୀତ, ଶ୍ୟାମା, ଅଗ୍ନିସଦୃଶ ଦୀପ୍ତିମୟ, ଏବଂ କୃଷ୍ଣାରୁଣ; ତାଙ୍କୁ ଜ୍ୱାଲାରୂପ ଭାବେ ସ୍ମରଣ କରିବା ଉଚିତ।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing a sage (commonly Vashistha in framing tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Dhyana-krama: sequential visualization of Shaktis by color and radiance (jvālā-rūpa) to energize mantra-japa and internal nyasa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śakti-dhyāna by Varṇa (Color) as Jvālā-rūpa","lookup_keywords":["shakti dhyana","varna","jvala-rupa","white red yellow","krishnaruna"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on the Shaktis in a fixed order by their colors—white, red, pale, yellow, dark, fire-bright, and blackish-reddish—imagining each as flame-like radiance to intensify mantra efficacy."}
Concept: Varṇa and tejas are yogic supports (ālambana) for concentrating consciousness; ordered visualization trains the mind into one-pointedness.
Application: During japa, cycle through the colors without strain, holding each as a steady flame; use the sequence to prevent distraction and deepen absorption.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-mantra (Shakti-dhyana and Jvala-kalpa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vertical or circular sequence of seven flame-forms, each a different color (white, red, pale, yellow, dark, fire-bright, blackish-reddish), rising from a yantra at the base as the meditator sits in dhyana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized flames in distinct bands of color emerging from a yantra, meditating yogin in profile, bold outlines, temple-lamp glow, sacred geometry integrated into the background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, seven flame-auras rendered with gold highlights, central yantra embossed in gold, deep jewel tones for each flame, devotional symmetry, ornate border work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean gradations for each flame color, diagrammatic labels, calm meditator, emphasis on sequence and clarity, minimal ornate background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate translucent flames in layered washes, seated ascetic with rosary, fine calligraphy naming colors, intricate carpet and margin florals"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaktīrjvālārūpāḥ → śaktīḥ jvālā-rūpāḥ (visarga → r before j); kṛṣṇāruṇāś → kṛṣṇa-aruṇāḥ; vahni-nibhāṣitā treated as compound/kridanta.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Shakti-dhyana/Jvala-kalpa context)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna-krama (ordered visualization) for worship: meditate on multiple Shaktis as flame-forms, identified by distinct colors and fire-like radiance.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual-technology—codifying visualization sequences and iconographic color-specifications used in tantric-leaning puja and mantra practice alongside its many other disciplines.
Ordered remembrance (smaraṇa/dhyāna) of flame-like Shaktis is taught as a concentrative purification practice, aligning the worshipper’s mind with Agni’s transformative power and strengthening ritual efficacy.