Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Chapter 46 — शालग्रामादिमूर्तिलक्षणकथनं
Exposition of the Characteristics of Śālagrāma and Other Sacred Forms
सुदर्शनस्त्वेकचक्रो लक्ष्मीनारायणो द्वयात् त्रिचक्रश्चाच्युतो देवस्त्रिचक्रको वा त्रिविक्रमः
sudarśanastvekacakro lakṣmīnārāyaṇo dvayāt tricakraścācyuto devastricakrako vā trivikramaḥ
ผู้ทรงจักรหนึ่งเรียกว่า สุทรรศนะ; ผู้ทรงจักรสองคือ ลักษมี-นารายณะ. ผู้ทรงจักรสามคือเทพ อจยุตะ; หรือผู้มีจักรสามนั้นเรียกอีกนามว่า ตริวิกรมะ.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Provides a practical naming/identification rule for Viṣṇu-forms based on cakra-count (one/two/three), used in icon selection, consecration naming, and correct mantra-address in worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Cakra-bheda: naming Viṣṇu-forms by number of discus (Sudarśana, Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, Acyuta/Trivikrama)","lookup_keywords":["ekachakra sudarshana","dvichakra lakshmi narayana","trichakra achyuta","trichakra trivikrama","chakra bheda"],"quick_summary":"A compact rule: one-cakra form is Sudarśana; two-cakra is Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa; three-cakra is Acyuta (or alternatively Trivikrama). This prevents misnaming and misaddress in ritual and iconography."}
Concept: Nāma is anchored in rūpa-lakṣaṇa; correct designation (saṃjñā) follows observable iconographic criteria (cakra-bheda).
Application: During pūjā and pratiṣṭhā, match the invoked name to the icon’s cakra-count; in workshops, use cakra-number as a quick QA check for commissions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-nama / Chakra-bheda and iconographic-identificatory theology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic chart-like scene: three Viṣṇu icons shown side-by-side—one holding/marked with a single cakra (Sudarśana), one with two cakras (Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa), and one with three cakras (Acyuta/Trivikrama), with emphasis on counting the discs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych: three Viṣṇu forms in stylized temple mural palette; each panel highlights the number of cakras with bright gold/yellow discs; minimal text-like glyphs implied; ornate floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: three framed deity panels with heavy gold embossing; cakras rendered as raised gold discs (1, 2, 3); Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa panel includes Lakṣmī beside Nārāyaṇa; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional composition with clear spacing; three figures with precisely drawn cakras; subtle gold; clean background; emphasis on counting and identification.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: manuscript illustration showing three icons on a palace terrace; attendants pointing to the cakras; fine detailing of discs and ornaments; illuminated margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुदर्शनस्त्वेकचक्रो → सुदर्शनः तु एकचक्रः; लक्ष्मीनारायणो → लक्ष्मी-नारायणः; त्रिचक्रश्चाच्युतो → त्रिचक्रः च अच्युतः; देवस्त्रिचक्रको → देवः त्रिचक्रकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 46.9 (Trivikrama identifiers); Agni Purana 46.7–46.10 (Viṣṇu-form lakṣaṇa series)
FAQs
It gives an iconographic rule for identifying and naming Vishnu-forms in worship: the deity’s name is determined by the number of cakras (disci) depicted/visualized (one, two, or three).
It catalogs practical classificatory knowledge used in temple imagery, meditation (dhyāna), and pūjā—showing how the text functions as a manual that links theology (names like Acyuta/Trivikrama) with concrete visual markers (cakra-count).
Correct identification and invocation of the intended Vishnu-form supports accurate devotion (bhakti) and properly directed mantra/visualization, traditionally held to enhance the efficacy and merit (puṇya) of worship.