Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 52: देवीप्रतिमालक्षणं (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa) — Characteristics of Goddess Images
रक्ताक्षी सुप्रसिद्धा तु विद्युज्जिह्वा करङ्किणी मेघनादा प्रचण्डोग्रा कालकर्णी वरप्रदा
raktākṣī suprasiddhā tu vidyujjihvā karaṅkiṇī meghanādā pracaṇḍogrā kālakarṇī varapradā
นางคือ รักตักษี (ผู้มีดวงตาแดง) อันเลื่องลือยิ่ง; คือ วิทยุชฌิวหา และ กะรังกิณี; คือ เมฆนาดา และ ประจัณฑโกรา; คือ กาลกรณี และ วรประทา (ผู้ประทานพร)
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rakṣā and ugra-śānti prayoga: reciting fierce epithets (Raktākṣī, Karaṅkiṇī, Kālakarṇī) alongside boon-bestowing closure (Varapradā) for protection, intimidation of obstacles, and grace-bestowal in pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī-nāma: Raktākṣī–Karaṅkiṇī–Meghanādā–Varapradā","lookup_keywords":["raktākṣī","vidyujjihvā","karaṅkiṇī","meghanādā","varapradā"],"quick_summary":"A name-cluster portraying Devī as storm-and-lightning power with skull symbolism and fierce renown, culminating in boon-giving; used for protective recitation and obstacle-removal worship."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/utprekṣā-like epithet imagery (tongue as lightning; voice as thunder) within nāma-mālā
Concept: Śakti’s dual function: terrifying to negativity (ugra) yet compassionate to devotees (varapradā); symbolic language encodes inner transformation (lightning-tongue as sudden insight).
Application: Use as protective recitation at thresholds (home/temple) and during adversity; conclude with Varapradā contemplation to orient practice toward dharmic boons rather than harm.
Khanda Section: Mantra-devatā & Śākta-Tantra (Names/epithets of Devīs used in japa, protection, and ritual invocation)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A storm-charged fierce Devī with red eyes, lightning-like tongue, skull ornaments, roaring like thunderclouds; despite ferocity, one hand grants boons in varada-mudrā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dark monsoon palette, Devī with raktākṣī eyes, vidyut-tongue rendered as jagged flame, skull garland (karaṅkiṇī), thundercloud backdrop (meghanādā), one hand in varada-mudrā, protective aura around devotees","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, dramatic Devī with gold-embossed jewelry and skull motifs, red eyes highlighted, lightning tongue stylized with gold and white, cloud-and-thunder background, varada hand with gold detailing, intense contrast","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear iconographic plate: annotations for raktākṣī, vidyujjihvā, karaṅkiṇī, meghanādā, kālakarṇī, varapradā; precise depiction of mudrā and ornaments; subdued yet powerful colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, tempest scene with swirling clouds; Devī appears with red eyes and a lightning tongue, skull ornaments finely detailed; a devotee kneels receiving boon; intricate rendering of rain, clouds, and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: raktākṣī → rakta-akṣī; vidyujjihvā → vidyut-jihvā; meghanādā → megha-nādā; pracaṇḍogrā → pracaṇḍa-ugrā; kālakarṇī → kāla-karṇī; varapradā → vara-pradā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 52 (Devī-nāma lists; yoginī/ugra forms)
FAQs
It provides a canonical set of Devī-epithets (nāma) used for japa and ritual invocation—names that encode iconography (skull-bearing), power (fierce), and function (boon-bestowing) for targeted devotional or protective practice.
By cataloging specific mantra-devatā identifiers and their functional attributes, it preserves a practical index of Śākta-Tantric theology—linking names to ritual utility—alongside the Purāṇa’s broader coverage of rites, governance, medicine, and arts.
Recitation and remembrance of these Devī-names is traditionally held to invoke protection, remove obstacles, and secure siddhi/desired outcomes—culminating in ‘vara’ (boons) through aligned devotion and disciplined practice.