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
முன்னர் கூறியபடி வாசலில் விளையாடும் நிலையில்—பலாகை (நாரை) போன்ற நளின உருவம், குறுஞ்சிற்றளவு, கருநிறம், வெண்தாமரை தாங்கியவள், இரு கரங்களும் மேலே உயர்ந்தவள்—எனத் தேவியைத் தியானிக்க வேண்டும்.
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).