Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 25
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
चन्द्रार्धनादनादान्तं ब्रह्मविष्णुविभूशित उदधिं नरसिंहञ्च सूर्यमात्राविभेदितम्
candrārdhanādanādāntaṃ brahmaviṣṇuvibhūśita udadhiṃ narasiṃhañca sūryamātrāvibheditam
చంద్రార్ధ-నాదంతో ప్రారంభమై ఆద్యంతరహితమైన, బ్రహ్మా-విష్ణువులచే విభూషితమైన, సముద్రసమాన విస్తారమైన, మరియు సూర్యమాత్రా/ప్రభతో విశిష్టమైన నరసింహ స్వరూపాన్ని నేను ధ్యానిస్తున్నాను.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Dhyāna for Narasiṃha: use the described marks (crescent/nāda), cosmic vastness (ocean-like), and solar radiance as visualization anchors during japa and protective worship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Narasiṃha Dhyāna: Crescent–Nāda, Oceanic Vastness, Solar Measure","lookup_keywords":["Narasimha","dhyana","ardhacandra","nada","suryamatra"],"quick_summary":"A contemplative description for visualizing Narasiṃha as beginning with crescent-and-nāda symbolism, limitless, honored by Brahmā and Viṣṇu, vast as the ocean, and distinguished by sun-like radiance—supporting focused mantra-dhyāna."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile)
Concept: Dhyāna as a bridge between symbol (crescent/nāda), cosmic infinitude, and embodied devotion; the deity is contemplated as limitless consciousness with manifest tejas.
Application: In meditation, fix attention on the crescent-and-nāda sign above the form, expand awareness ‘like the ocean,’ and stabilize the image with sun-like radiance to deepen one-pointedness (ekāgratā).
Khanda Section: Stotra / Dhyana (Iconographic-visualization of deities; Purana-style hymnography)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Narasiṃha as a limitless, ocean-like cosmic presence, crowned/marked with crescent and nāda, blazing with sun-measure radiance, with Brahmā and Viṣṇu in attendance as adorning figures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of Narasiṃha with a crescent-and-nāda emblem above the crown, immense ocean-like blue aura behind, Brahmā and Viṣṇu flanking with offerings, strong tejas highlights, traditional mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Narasiṃha with gold-leaf prabhāmaṇḍala like the sun, crescent-and-nāda jewel motif above, deep blue oceanic backdrop, Brahmā and Viṣṇu as attendant figures, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting emphasizing dhyāna clarity: Narasiṃha centered with labeled crescent/nāda symbol, graded halo showing ‘sūrya-mātrā’ radiance, calm attendants Brahmā-Viṣṇu, neat composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: Narasiṃha enthroned with delicate crescent-and-nāda sign, expansive sea and sky as metaphorical backdrop, Brahmā and Viṣṇu in refined courtly attendance, fine gold detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: candrārdhanādanādāntaṃ → candra-ardha-nāda-nāda-antam; brahmaviṣṇuvibhūśita → brahma-viṣṇu-vibhūśitam; narasiṃhañca → narasiṃham ca; sūryamātrāvibheditam → sūrya-mātrā-vibheditam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (stotra/dhyāna continuation from varṇamālā-mantra section); Agni Purana Narasiṃha-related stotra/mantra passages (general)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditational specification): visualize a beginningless, endless divine form associated with lunar emblem (crescent), sacred sound (nāda), attended by Brahmā and Viṣṇu, ocean-vast, and radiant like the Sun—supporting mantra-japa and focused contemplation of Nṛsiṃha.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical devotional technologies—stotra and dhyāna—using cosmographic (ocean), astronomical (Sun/Moon), and theological (Brahmā–Viṣṇu) markers to systematize meditation and iconographic understanding.
Such dhyāna-oriented praise is traditionally held to purify the mind, stabilize concentration, and invoke protective grace—especially through Nṛsiṃha—thereby reducing fear and obstacles and supporting merit (puṇya) through disciplined remembrance.