Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 21
Sargaviṣayaka-varṇana — The Topics of Primary Creation
Sarga
भवं शर्वमथेशानं तथा पशुपतिं द्विज भीममुग्रं महादेवमुवाच स पितामहः
bhavaṃ śarvamatheśānaṃ tathā paśupatiṃ dvija bhīmamugraṃ mahādevamuvāca sa pitāmahaḥ
ਫਿਰ ਪਿਤਾਮਹ (ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ) ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ‘ਭਵ’, ‘ਸ਼ਰਵ’, ‘ਈਸ਼ਾਨ’ ਅਤੇ ‘ਪਸ਼ੁਪਤੀ’ ਕਿਹਾ; ਹੇ ਦ੍ਵਿਜ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ‘ਭੀਮ’, ‘ਉਗ੍ਰ’ ਅਤੇ ‘ਮਹਾਦੇਵ’ ਵੀ ਆਖਿਆ।
Primary narration traditionally by Lord Agni to Vasiṣṭha; within the verse, Pitāmaha (Brahmā) is the one speaking (uttering Śiva’s names).
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Use as a concise nāmāvali-seed for Rudra/Śiva worship (japa, arcana, and dhyāna), selecting names according to desired bhāva (ugra vs śānta).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra/Śiva nāmāni: Bhava–Śarva–Īśāna–Paśupati–Bhīma–Ugra–Mahādeva","lookup_keywords":["bhava","śarva","īśāna","paśupati","bhīma","ugra","mahādeva"],"quick_summary":"A compact list of Śiva’s principal epithets given by Brahmā, suitable for nāma-japa and as semantic keys to Śiva’s functions (lordship, protection, dissolution, awe-inspiring power)."}
Alamkara Type: Paryāya (synonymic epithet-listing)
Concept: Nāma is a practical handle (ālambana) for dhyāna; multiple names encode multiple functions/aspects of the one deity.
Application: Daily japa/arcana: recite the seven names with mental visualization of corresponding aspects; employ ‘Ugra/Bhīma’ for protection rites, ‘Īśāna/Mahādeva’ for śānti and contemplation.
Khanda Section: Rudra–Shiva Stuti and Nāmāvali (Shaiva Devatā-nāma-kathana)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā (Pitāmaha) formally naming Rudra/Śiva with a garland of epithets; the names appear as radiant syllables around Śiva, showing both fierce (Ugra, Bhīma) and benevolent (Īśāna, Mahādeva) aspects.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Brahmā on lotus gesturing in blessing; Śiva standing with matted hair and crescent moon; surrounding aureole containing the seven names in stylized script; half the aureole fierce red tones (Ugra/Bhīma), half calm blue-green (Īśāna/Mahādeva).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Śiva with large gold halo; Brahmā to one side presenting a scroll of names; embossed gold lettering for Bhava, Śarva, Īśāna, Paśupati, Bhīma, Ugra, Mahādeva; rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional composition with labeled aspects—small vignettes around Śiva showing each epithet’s iconographic mood; fine gesso work, soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: divine assembly; Brahmā reciting names; calligraphic cartouches with each epithet; Śiva depicted with refined detailing, subtle expression shifting between serene and fierce."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शर्वमथेशानम् → शर्वम् + अथ + ईशानम्; महादेवमुवाच → महादेवम् + उवाच.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sarga 20 (Rudra-nāma-kathana); Agni Purana stotra/mantra sections (Śiva/Vishnu nāmāvali passages)
FAQs
It provides a nāmāvali (authoritative list of Śiva’s epithets) used for stuti and mantra-style recitation, a practical devotional method in Purāṇic ritual culture.
By cataloging standardized divine names and theological identifiers (Bhava, Śarva, Īśāna, Paśupati, etc.), it preserves liturgical vocabulary and sectarian doctrine alongside the text’s many other disciplines.
Reciting and contemplating these names functions as stuti—cultivating devotion and remembrance of Śiva—traditionally held to purify the mind and accrue religious merit (puṇya).