Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 27
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
अशुमच्चांशुनाक्रान्तं द्वितीयं वर्णनायकम् अंशुमानीश्वरन्तद्वत् तृतीयं मुक्तिदायकम्
aśumaccāṃśunākrāntaṃ dvitīyaṃ varṇanāyakam aṃśumānīśvarantadvat tṛtīyaṃ muktidāyakam
द्वितीयं ‘अशुमत्’ ‘अंशुनाक्रान्त’ इति वर्णनायकम्; तथैव तृतीयं ‘अंशुमान् ईश्वरः’ मुक्तिदायकम्।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Recitation/remembering of epithets (nāma) mapped to varṇas for merit (phala) culminating in mokṣa-oriented contemplation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Second and third nāmas: Aśumat/Aṃśunākrānta; Aṃśumān Īśvara (muktidāyaka)","lookup_keywords":["aśumat","aṃśunākrānta","aṃśumān īśvara","mukti","varṇa-nāyaka"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates successive epithets: the second is Aśumat and Aṃśunākrānta (leader of syllables), and the third is Aṃśumān Īśvara, explicitly said to grant liberation."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa
Concept: Nāma-smaraṇa is framed as a direct soteriological instrument: certain epithets are ‘muktidāyaka’.
Application: Use the listed nāmas as a japa/recitation sequence; contemplate ‘Īśvara’ as the luminous inner ruler while reciting to orient practice toward mokṣa rather than mere siddhi.
Khanda Section: Stotra–Nama–Phala (Names, epithets, and their liberating merit)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scroll-like presentation of radiant epithets—Aśumat, Aṃśunākrānta, Aṃśumān Īśvara—emanating light, with a devotee reciting before a lamp; the third name shines as ‘muktidāyaka’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, deity-like luminous script bands above a seated chanter, oil lamp, rhythmic repetition motifs, warm earthy palette, stylized rays (aṃśu) around the words","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf emphasis on the third epithet ‘Aṃśumān Īśvara’, devotee with folded hands, ornate arch, gem-like highlights, strong central symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic panel with three name-cartouches in Devanagari, subtle halo around the third, calm devotee figure, clean outlines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scribe/reciter holding a manuscript, delicate calligraphy of the epithets floating, fine light beams, restrained palette with detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aśumaccāṃśunākrāntaṃ → aśumat + ca + aṃśunā + ākrāntam; varṇanāyakam → varṇa + nāyakam; aṃśumānīśvarantadvat → aṃśumān + īśvaram + tadvat
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (stotra–nāma–phala mapping across successive varṇas/nāmas)
FAQs
It teaches a nama-japa/stotra-style mapping of specific divine epithets—“Aśumat,” “Aṃśunākrānta,” and “Aṃśumān Īśvara”—including their stated spiritual effect (phala), guiding recitation-centered practice.
By cataloging precise names/attributes and their results (phala), it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium style—preserving devotional-ritual micro-instructions alongside wider subjects like polity, medicine, and poetics.
The verse explicitly assigns mokṣa-producing potency to the third epithet (“muktidāyakam”), presenting recitation/remembering of the named Lord as a purifier and a direct aid toward liberation.