Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
अजैकपादहिर्व्रध्रो धूमकेतुश् च रुद्रजाः रुद्रका इति ग , घ , ङ , ञ च भरतश् च तथा मृत्युः कापालिरथ किङ्किणिः
ajaikapādahirvradhro dhūmaketuś ca rudrajāḥ rudrakā iti ga , gha , ṅa , ña ca bharataś ca tathā mṛtyuḥ kāpāliratha kiṅkiṇiḥ
ਅਜੈਕਪਾਦ, ਅਹਿਰਬੁਧਨ੍ਯ, ਧੂਮਕੇਤੁ ਅਤੇ ਰੁਦ੍ਰਜ ਗਣ ਕਹੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ; ਅਤੇ ‘ਰੁਦ੍ਰਕ’ ਨਾਮ ਨਾਲ ਗ, ਘ, ਙ, ਞ ਵਰਗ ਵਾਲੇ; ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਭਰਤ, ਮ੍ਰਿਤ੍ਯੁ, ਕਾਪਾਲੀ ਅਤੇ ਕਿੰਕਿਣੀ ਵੀ।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic compendium material to Sage Vasiṣṭha, per the Agni Purāṇa’s dominant dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rudra-nāma smaraṇa for protection, warding off fear/death-omens, and invoking fierce guardianship; also used in śiva-upāsanā and rakṣā-kavaca contexts.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra-name cluster: Ajaikapāda–Ahirbudhnya–Dhūmaketu–Kāpāli etc.","lookup_keywords":["Rudra names","Ajaikapāda","Ahirbudhnya","Dhūmaketu","Kāpāli"],"quick_summary":"A name-list drawing from Vedic Rudra forms and later Śaiva epithets; recitation functions as a protective and empowering stotra-element."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-mālā with varṇa-krama (alphabetical grouping hint: ga, gha, ṅa, ña)
Concept: Name as śakti: invoking Rudra’s manifold forms integrates fearsome energies into protection and inner steadiness against mṛtyu-bhaya (fear of death).
Application: Use in nightly rakṣā, during eclipses/inauspicious omens, or before undertaking austerities; cultivate fearlessness and restraint.
Khanda Section: Rudra-nama-nirdesha (Shiva/Rudra Sahasranama-style listing within Purana encyclopedic stotra-material)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A multi-form Rudra montage: one-footed Ajaikapāda, serpent-linked Ahirbudhnya rising from depths, Dhūmaketu with smoky comet-flame aura, and Kāpāli as skull-bearing ascetic; the names appear as letter-group banners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fierce Śiva aspects in four panels, bold eyes and ornaments, smoky Dhūmaketu aura, serpent motifs for Ahirbudhnya, cremation-ground cues for Kāpāli, Sanskrit name cartouches, ornate border","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Kāpāli Śiva with gold halo and skull-bowl, side medallions for Ajaikapāda and Dhūmaketu, heavy gold embossing for flames and ornaments, deep maroon background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework: four Rudra aspects arranged symmetrically with labeled letter-groups (ga gha ṅa ña), soft colors, devotional yet slightly fierce expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic night sky with comet (Dhūmaketu), ascetic Śiva with skull-bowl, serpent-emergent deity from waters, fine detailing, calligraphic labels and cloud bands"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"apotropaic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अजैकपादहिर्व्रध्रो→अजैकपात् अहिः व्रध्रः; धूमकेतुश्→धूमकेतुः; भरतश्→भरतः; कापालिरथ→कापालिः अथ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (Rudra-nāma nirdesha within rakṣā/stotra materials)
FAQs
It provides nāma-recitation material: a structured listing of Rudra/Śiva epithets and Rudra-associated beings (gaṇas), useful for japa, stotra-pāṭha, and name-based worship.
By cataloging Vedic and Purāṇic Rudra-forms (e.g., Ajaikapāda, Ahirbudhnya) and organizing names via letter-groups, it preserves cross-traditional deity nomenclature in a reference-like format.
Name-recitation of Rudra/Śiva is traditionally held to purify speech and mind, invoke protection, and accrue merit (puṇya) through remembrance of divine attributes and forms.