Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
ललिता सुभगा गौरी क्षोभणी चाग्नितः क्रमात् पञ्चमी इति ञ वामा ज्येष्ठा क्रिया ज्ञाना वृत्ते पूर्वादितो यजेत्
lalitā subhagā gaurī kṣobhaṇī cāgnitaḥ kramāt pañcamī iti ña vāmā jyeṣṭhā kriyā jñānā vṛtte pūrvādito yajet
अग्नितः क्रमात् ललितां सुभगां गौरीं क्षोभणीं च यजेत्; पञ्चमी ‘ञ’ इति कथ्यते। वृत्ते तु पूर्वादारभ्य वामां ज्येष्ठां क्रियां ज्ञानां च यजेत्॥
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual/tantric procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Avaraṇa-arcana: directional and circular (vṛtta) sequencing of Devī-nāmas/śaktis for worship, establishing a protective and empowered ritual field.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī-nāma-krama: Agni-diśā sequence & vṛtta-pūjā from East","lookup_keywords":["Lalitā","Subhagā","Kṣobhaṇī","Vāmā-Jyeṣṭhā","āvaraṇa-arcana"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives two ordered worship sequences: one starting from the Agni direction with Lalitā etc., and another circular worship beginning from the East with Vāmā, Jyeṣṭhā, Kriyā, and Jñānā."}
Concept: Nāma and krama (ordered sequence) as a technology of śakti—correct directionality and rotation activate the āvaraṇa.
Application: In āvaraṇa-arcana, keep a fixed starting point (Agni or East) and proceed consistently to avoid krama-bhraṃśa (sequence error).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra: Devī-nāma-mantra and Avaraṇa-arcana (name-sequence worship)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circular ritual diagram with deities’ names placed by direction: Lalitā, Subhagā, Gaurī, Kṣobhaṇī from the Agni quarter; and a second ring beginning East with Vāmā, Jyeṣṭhā, Kriyā, Jñānā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down mandala with directional quarters, stylized flames marking Agni corner, Devī-nāmas inscribed in traditional script-like bands, priests performing arcana around the circle.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate circular yantra-like frame with gold foil, small medallions for Lalitā/Subhagā/Gaurī/Kṣobhaṇī and Vāmā/Jyeṣṭhā/Kriyā/Jñānā, lamps and flowers around.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional mandala showing East start arrow and Agni-direction marker, labeled deity-name nodes, soft pastel palette and precise geometry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholars and priests around a painted circular diagram on cloth, compass-like directional markers, delicate calligraphy panels naming the śaktis."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाग्नितः = च + अग्नितः (अ + अ → आ). पूर्वादितः treated as avyayībhāva adverb ‘from the east onwards’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (Devī-nāma, nyāsa, āvaraṇa procedures)
FAQs
It gives a precise worship-sequence (krama) for Devī-names and a circular/directional (vṛtta, pūrvādi) arrangement, including a varṇa-bīja (“ña”) as the fifth element—typical of nyāsa/āvaraṇa-style ritual mapping.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves procedural liturgy: name-lists, seed-syllables, and directional maṇḍala logic used in temple and tantric worship—showing it functions as a practical ritual handbook as well as a Purāṇa.
Performing worship in the prescribed order is held to align the practitioner with Devī’s śakti in a structured maṇḍala, supporting purification, concentration, and correct ritual efficacy (mantra-siddhi) through disciplined observance of krama.