Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 23
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
अंशुमान् विश्वरूपाख्यमूहकस्योपरि स्थितम् कलाढ्यं सकलस्यैव पूजाङ्गादि च सर्वतः
aṃśumān viśvarūpākhyamūhakasyopari sthitam kalāḍhyaṃ sakalasyaiva pūjāṅgādi ca sarvataḥ
‘అంశుమాన్’ను ‘విశ్వరూప’ అనే రూపంగా మూహకము పైభాగంలో స్థాపించాలి. ఆయన సమస్త కళలతో సమృద్ధుడు, సంపూర్ణుడు, మరియు అన్ని వైపులా పూజాంగాది ఉపకరణాలతో యుక్తుడు.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in an encyclopedic ritual-iconographic section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Icon placement and ritual arrangement: positioning Aṃśumān/Viśvarūpa above Mūhaka and ensuring complete kalā-endowment and pūjā-aṅgas around the icon/diagram.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Placement of Aṃśumān (Viśvarūpa) Above Mūhaka with Pūjā-Aṅgas","lookup_keywords":["Amshuman","Vishvarupa","Muhaka","kala","puja-anga"],"quick_summary":"Gives a placement rule: Aṃśumān, identified with Viśvarūpa, is स्थापित above Mūhaka; the form is to be conceived as kalā-rich and ritually complete with accessories on all sides."}
Concept: Ritual completeness (sakalatva) is expressed through kalā-fullness and correct spatial hierarchy; outer arrangement mirrors inner cosmology (viśvarūpa above supporting principle).
Application: When constructing a maṇḍala/pratimā setup, maintain prescribed vertical placement and surround the deity-form with complete upacāras/nyāsas to avoid ritual deficiency (hīna-kriyā).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography and worship-ritual auxiliaries)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram or altar: Mūhaka as the lower/base form, with Aṃśumān labeled Viśvarūpa placed above; around them, complete worship accessories arranged in all directions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a temple interior with a vertical maṇḍala arrangement: base Mūhaka motif below, radiant Viśvarūpa above, lamps and offerings encircling, stylized geometry and rich pigments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting focusing on the central radiant Viśvarūpa above a base emblem, heavy gold halo, symmetrical arrangement of pūjā items (kalasha, lamp, conch, flowers) around","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: clean diagrammatic depiction with labels ‘Mūhaka’ (lower) and ‘Aṃśumān/Viśvarūpa’ (upper), surrounding upacāras in cardinal directions, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a ritualist arranging a tiered altar: lower emblematic base and upper radiant form, attendants holding pūjā implements, detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viśvarūpākhyamūhakasyopari → viśvarūpa-ākhya-mūhakasya upari; sakalasyaiva → sakalasya eva; pūjāṅgādi → pūjā-aṅga-ādi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (mūrti-lakṣaṇa and pūjā auxiliaries); Agni Purana iconography/maṇḍala-related chapters (general Shilpa/Pūjā material)
FAQs
It gives iconographic-ritual instruction: the placement hierarchy (Aṃśumān positioned above the Mūhaka form called Viśvarūpa) and the requirement that the form be depicted as ‘kalāḍhya’ and surrounded with pūjāṅgas (worship accessories/upacāras).
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical temple-technology: naming specific forms (Viśvarūpa, Mūhaka, Aṃśumān), prescribing spatial placement, and standardizing worship components—typical of the Agni Purana’s catalog-like coverage of ritual, iconography, and applied religious practice.
Correct placement and complete pūjāṅga observance are presented as ensuring wholeness (sakalatva) in worship, supporting ritual efficacy and the accrual of merit through properly ordered, complete devotion.