Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 45
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
ऐरावतो महापद्मः कम्बलाश्वतरावुभौ शङ्खः कर्कोटकश् चैव धृतराष्ट्रो धनञ्जयः
airāvato mahāpadmaḥ kambalāśvatarāvubhau śaṅkhaḥ karkoṭakaś caiva dhṛtarāṣṭro dhanañjayaḥ
ऐरावतो महापद्मः कम्बलाश्वतरावुभौ शङ्खः कर्कोटकश् चैव धृतराष्ट्रो धनञ्जयः
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Reference list for nāga-loka taxonomy used in cosmographic narration, ritual address (nāga-bali/śānti), and iconographic identification of serpent-kings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Principal Nāgas (serpent-kings) roster","lookup_keywords":["Airāvata nāga","Mahāpadma","Kambala","Aśvatara","Karkoṭaka"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates notable Nāgas as a cosmographic catalogue. Useful for ritual invocation, mythic geography, and identifying nāga names across Purāṇic narratives."}
Khanda Section: Naga-loka & Patalādivarṇana (Cosmography and lists of beings)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmographic register showing the principal Nāga kings named in a formal lineup or as a court in Nāga-loka, each distinguished by hood patterns and ornaments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, underworld palace with jewel tones; eight nāga-kings in ordered row, multi-hooded canopies, stylized scales; lotus ponds and subterranean gems; calm, ceremonial mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed nāga hoods and ornaments; nāga court with jeweled throne; each nāga labeled by name on a small cartouche; rich reds/greens and heavy halo work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity; eight nāgas arranged with distinct hood counts/patterns; subtle background of pātāla caves and water; emphasis on identification and taxonomy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fantastical subterranean court; delicate rendering of scales and textiles; nāga figures partly anthropomorphic with hooded canopies; ornate architecture and gem-lit ambiance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कम्बलाश्वतरावुभौ = कम्बलः + अश्वतरः + उभौ; कर्कोटकश् चैव = कर्कोटकः + च + एव; धृतराष्ट्रो = धृतराष्ट्रः (visarga sandhi before voiced consonant in recitation/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (nāga lists and rakṣā context)
FAQs
This verse imparts cosmographic cataloguing (a Puranic ‘vidyā’ of classification): it enumerates principal Nāgas by name for recognition within underworld (Pātāla) lore and related recitations.
By preserving structured lists of mythic entities (Nāgas) as reference data, it functions like a gazetteer/catalogue—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark encyclopedic modes alongside its sections on ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
Remembering and reciting sacred catalogues of beings and realms is traditionally treated as a purifying act that strengthens scriptural memory (smṛti) and aligns the listener with the Purāṇic cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).