Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 6
Trailokya-mohinī Śrī-Lakṣmī-ādi-pūjā and Durgā-yoga
Protective and Siddhi Rites
बलाकां वामनां श्यामां श्वेतपङ्कजधारिणीम् ऊर्ध्ववाहुद्वयं ध्यायेत्क्रीडन्तीं द्वारि पूर्ववत्
balākāṃ vāmanāṃ śyāmāṃ śvetapaṅkajadhāriṇīm ūrdhvavāhudvayaṃ dhyāyetkrīḍantīṃ dvāri pūrvavat
Следует созерцать её, как сказано прежде, у входа: изящную, подобную журавлю, низкорослую (вамана), тёмного цвета, держащую белый лотос; с обеими руками, поднятыми вверх, в игривой позе.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, as the usual frame for Agni Purana teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ritual dhyāna of a door-guardian/threshold form of Lakṣmī with specific bodily traits, color, gesture, and attribute for protective and prosperity-focused worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dvāra-sthā Lakṣmī-dhyāna: balākā-sadṛśī, vāmana, śyāmā, śveta-padma-dhāriṇī, ūrdhva-bāhu","lookup_keywords":["Lakṣmī-dhyāna","dvāra-devatā","ūrdhva-bāhu","śveta-padma","śyāmā-vāmana"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a precise visualization template for Lakṣmī at the doorway—graceful like a crane, small-statured, dark-hued, holding a white lotus, with both arms raised—used in pūjā/nyāsa contexts."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Form-specific visualization (rūpa-dhyāna) disciplines attention; liminal placement (dvāra) symbolizes guarding the inflow of fortune and purity.
Application: Use consistent iconographic cues (color, gesture, attribute, location) to stabilize meditation and ritual nyāsa at entrances.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-dhyana (Iconography and visualization in ritual worship)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śṛṅgāra
Type: Temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a temple doorway stands a small, dark-hued Lakṣmī, graceful like a crane, holding a white lotus, both arms lifted upward, with a playful stance as if welcoming and guarding the threshold.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, doorway vignette: petite śyāmā Lakṣmī with raised arms, white lotus, crane-like elegance, bold outlines, warm earthy palette, decorative doorframe motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dvāra-sthā Lakṣmī with gold halo, white lotus, raised arms, ornate doorway arch with gold embossing, rich textiles and jewelry, auspicious threshold lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean iconographic study: Lakṣmī at doorway, annotations implied by composition, emphasis on posture (ūrdhva-bāhu), color contrast (dark body, white lotus), gentle shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural doorway with intricate patterns; small dark-hued goddess holding a white lotus, arms raised, lively yet refined pose, delicate facial features and textile detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्वेतपङ्कजधारिणीम्=श्वेत-पङ्कज-धारिणीम्; ऊर्ध्ववाहुद्वयं=ऊर्ध्व-वाहु-द्वयम्; ध्यायेत्क्रीडन्तीं=ध्यायेत् क्रीडन्तीम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa murti-dhyāna and dvāra-devatā/nyāsa instructions in the same puja-vidhi sequence
FAQs
It gives a precise dhyāna-specification for a doorway figure/deity-image: stature (vāmana), complexion (śyāma), attribute (white lotus), gesture (both arms raised), and placement (at the threshold).
Beyond myth, it preserves applied ritual-technology—iconographic descriptors, gesture, and spatial placement—useful for temple practice, domestic worship, and Vāstu-oriented threshold arrangements.
Correct visualization and placement at the doorway functions as a liminal protection and auspicious sanctification of entry, supporting purity (śuddhi) and orderly worship in accordance with prior rules (pūrvavat).