Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
खड्गाङ्कुशकुठारेषुविश्वभयभृदेकतः चापत्रिशूलखट्वाङ्गपाशकार्धवरोद्यतः
khaḍgāṅkuśakuṭhāreṣuviśvabhayabhṛdekataḥ cāpatriśūlakhaṭvāṅgapāśakārdhavarodyataḥ
ด้านหนึ่งทรงถือดาบ ตะขอคชสาร และขวาน อันก่อความครั่นคร้ามไปทั่วโลก; อีกด้านหนึ่งทรงถือคันธนู ตรีศูล คัฏวางคะ และบ่วงบาศ พร้อมยกพระหัตถ์หนึ่งเป็นท่าวรทาน (ประทานพร)
Lord Agni (narrating the dhyāna/pujā-vidhi material to Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Detailed attribute-list for devatā-dhyāna and image construction: specifies weapons/implements and the boon-giving gesture for correct visualization and worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Weapon-Attributes and Varada-mudrā in Devatā-dhyāna","lookup_keywords":["khaḍga","aṅkuśa","kuṭhāra","triśūla","khaṭvāṅga"],"quick_summary":"Gives a precise inventory of implements—sword, goad, axe, bow, trident, khaṭvāṅga, noose—and the varada (boon) hand, guiding both meditation and iconographic depiction."}
Weapon Type: Sword, goad, axe, bow, trident, khaṭvāṅga-staff, noose
Concept: Union of ugra and anugraha: the same deity terrifies evil (weapons) and grants grace (varada).
Application: In dhyāna, balance fear-dispelling protection with boon-seeking devotion; in image-making, ensure varada-mudrā is clearly readable to convey anugraha.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devata-dhyana (Iconography and meditation on deities)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A multi-armed fierce deity shown in symmetrical halves: one side brandishing sword, goad, and axe; the other holding bow, trident, khaṭvāṅga, and noose, with one palm extended in varada-mudrā; aura of dread and protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central fierce deity with multiple arms, clear weapon silhouettes; left cluster (sword, goad, axe) rendered boldly; right cluster (bow, trident, khaṭvāṅga, noose) with varada hand forward; intense reds/ochres, thick outlines, flame halo.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: deity under gold prabhāvali, weapons embossed with gold; varada hand highlighted with gem-like detailing; dramatic contrast between fearsome weapons and serene boon gesture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: iconographic chart-like painting—precise depiction of each implement with clean contours; varada-mudrā emphasized; soft background, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: dynamic multi-armed figure in a garden or shrine setting; meticulous rendering of each weapon; attendants recoil in awe while a devotee receives boon; fine border and calligraphy cartouche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: खड्गाङ्कुशकुठारेषुविश्वभयभृदेकतः = खड्गाङ्कुशकुठारेषु + विश्वभयभृत् + एकतः; चापत्रिशूलखट्वाङ्गपाशकार्धवरोद्यतः = चापत्रिशूलखट्वाङ्गपाशक + अर्धवर + उद्यतः (compound concatenation; internal sandhi: ...क + अ... → ...का...)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (continuation of devatā-dhyāna/mūrti specification); Agni Purana sections on mudrā, nyāsa, and pūjā-vidhi in related ritual chapters
FAQs
It teaches dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (iconographic visualization): the deity is meditated upon with specific weapons (khaḍga, aṅkuśa, kuṭhāra, cāpa, triśūla, khaṭvāṅga, pāśa) and a boon-bestowing hand, guiding correct ritual imaging for worship.
Beyond myth, it preserves practical puja-vidhi and iconographic standards—cataloging divine emblems and gestures used in temple/household worship and tantric-style visualization, a hallmark of the Agni Purana’s multi-disciplinary scope.
Accurate dhyāna with proper attributes is traditionally held to make worship ‘sāṅga’ (complete), strengthening concentration and devotion, and thereby enhancing the merit (puṇya) and efficacy (siddhi) of the rite.