Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 29
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
रौद्रीं ध्यायेद् वृषाब्जस्थां त्रिनेत्रां शशिभूषितां त्रिशूलाक्षधरां दक्षे वामे साभयशक्तिकां
raudrīṃ dhyāyed vṛṣābjasthāṃ trinetrāṃ śaśibhūṣitāṃ triśūlākṣadharāṃ dakṣe vāme sābhayaśaktikāṃ
พึงเพ่งภาวนาถึงพระรौทรี ผู้ประทับเหนือโคพฤษภและปัทมาสนะ มีสามพระเนตร ทรงประดับด้วยจันทร์; พระหัตถ์ขวาทรงตรีศูลและขวาน (ปรศุ) พระหัตถ์ซ้ายทรงศักติ (หอก) และประทานอภยะ (ความไร้ภัย)
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Raudrī-dhyāna for ritual empowerment and protection: visualize her seat (bull + lotus), third eye, lunar ornament, and weapons with abhaya to invoke fierce-guarding śakti.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dhyāna of Raudrī: Bull-and-Lotus Seated, Three-eyed, Moon-adorned, Weapon-bearing","lookup_keywords":["Raudrī dhyāna","vṛṣa-āsana","trinetrā","śaśi-bhūṣitā","triśūla paraśu śakti abhaya"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on Raudrī seated on bull and lotus, three-eyed and moon-adorned, holding trident and axe, with spear and the abhaya gesture—an iconographic formula for fierce protection in pūjā."}
Weapon Type: Trident; Axe; Spear
Concept: Fierce compassion: the deity’s weapons symbolize cutting ignorance/obstacles while abhaya assures refuge to the aligned devotee.
Application: In stressful or threatening contexts, use Raudrī-bhāvanā to cultivate decisive clarity (weapons) without panic (abhaya), then proceed with disciplined action.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-Dhyana (Devi-dhyana and iconographic visualization)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Raudrī, three-eyed and crowned with the moon, sits upon a bull and lotus; in her hands gleam trident, axe, and spear, while one hand grants abhaya—fierce yet protective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic Raudrī with pronounced third eye, crescent moon ornament, bull mount stylized, weapons outlined boldly, deep reds and ochres, aura of controlled ferocity with abhaya hand calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Raudrī enthroned with bull and lotus, heavy gold embossing on trident and ornaments, luminous moon on crown, rich maroon background, strong symmetrical composition with abhaya gesture highlighted.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: precise iconographic rendering—clear triśūla, paraśu, śakti, and abhaya; soft shading on face with third eye; bull proportionate; instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: finely detailed bull and lotus seat, Raudrī with crescent moon and third eye, weapons delicately painted, dramatic yet refined palette, ornate border and landscape hints."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vṛṣābjasthāṃ → vṛṣa-abja-sthām; triśūlākṣadharāṃ → triśūla-akṣa-dharām; sाभयशक्तिकां → sa-abhaya-śaktikām.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72.27-72.28 (other devatā-dhyānas in the sandhyā cycle)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditational iconography) for Raudrī—how to visualize her seat/vehicle, eyes, ornaments, and the specific weapons and abhaya-gesture used in pūjā and mantra-sādhana.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves practical ritual technology—precise iconographic and meditational specifications (āyudha, āsana/vāhana, mudrā)—used to standardize worship, image-conception, and tantric visualization across traditions.
Correct dhyāna is held to align the mind with the deity’s form and power; meditating on Raudrī with abhaya and weapons is traditionally aimed at protection, removal of fear/obstacles, and strengthening inner resolve (śakti) through disciplined worship.