Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 25
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
रुद्रश्चाष्टाविमे रुद्राः कटाहाभ्यन्तरे स्थिताः एतेषामेव नामानि भुवनानामपि स्मरेत्
rudraścāṣṭāvime rudrāḥ kaṭāhābhyantare sthitāḥ eteṣāmeva nāmāni bhuvanānāmapi smaret
เหล่านี้คือรุทรทั้งแปด ผู้สถิตอยู่ภายในหม้อใหญ่แห่งจักรวาล (กะฏาหะ). พึงระลึกถึงนามของท่านเหล่านี้ และนามของภูวนะทั้งหลาย (โลกทั้งหลาย) ด้วย
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Mnemonic recitation of the eight Rudras and associated world-names for cosmographic orientation in Purāṇic ritual storytelling, vrata-kathā, and teaching cosmology.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Aṣṭa-Rudra placement in the cosmic basin (kaṭāha) and remembrance of bhuvana-nāmas","lookup_keywords":["Aṣṭa Rudra","Kaṭāha","Bhuvana","Cosmic basin","Smaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"States that eight Rudras dwell within the inner ‘cosmic basin’; recommends remembering their names along with the worlds—serving as a cosmography mnemonic."}
Concept: Cosmic taxonomy: deities and worlds are mapped and retained through nāma-smaraṇa (name-remembrance).
Application: Use as a teaching scaffold: recite lists to internalize Purāṇic cosmology; employ in ritual narration to situate stories within a cosmic map.
Khanda Section: Cosmology and Sacred Geography (Bhuvana-nama-smriti / Puranic Cosmography)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Cosmic region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cross-sectional cosmic diagram: a vast basin-like universe with eight Rudras stationed within, and concentric or tiered worlds labeled around them.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural cosmography, stylized cosmic basin with concentric lokas, eight Rudra figures placed symmetrically, traditional color blocks, Sanskrit labels integrated as mural inscriptions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style cosmogram, central basin motif with gold highlights, eight Rudras as small crowned figures, ornate border, labeled bhuvanas in circular bands","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting as an instructional chart, neat concentric rings for worlds, eight Rudras marked with clear iconographic cues and captions, soft palette and precise lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature scientific-cosmographic illustration, basin-like universe rendered with fine detail, eight Rudras as symbolic figures, calligraphic labels for lokas"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रुद्रः+च→रुद्रश्च; च+अष्टौ→चाष्टौ; कटाह+अभ्यन्तरे→कटाहाभ्यन्तरे
Related Themes: Agni Purana cosmography sections (bhuvana/ loka-nirūpaṇa); Agni Purana 84 (Rudra-name context)
FAQs
It teaches nāma-smṛti (disciplined recollection of sacred names): remembering the eight Rudras and the bhuvanas as part of Puranic cosmological knowledge used in recitation, teaching, and ritual remembrance.
By cataloging cosmic structures (worlds/bhuvanas) alongside deity-classes (the Rudras) and locating them within a cosmographic model (the kaṭāha), it functions like a reference index for Puranic cosmology and sacred geography.
Remembering divine and cosmic names is treated as a purifying practice that stabilizes devotion and right understanding of the universe, supporting merit (puṇya) through reverent recollection and correct cosmological orientation.