Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
चित्रभानुं शिवं कालं महाशक्तिसमन्वितम् इडाद्यं परतोद्वृत्य सदेवः सविकारणम्
citrabhānuṃ śivaṃ kālaṃ mahāśaktisamanvitam iḍādyaṃ paratodvṛtya sadevaḥ savikāraṇam
Dapat pagnilayan/bigkasin (ang diyos) bilang Citrabhānu, bilang Śiva, bilang Kāla (Panahon), na may kalakip na Mahāśakti (Dakilang Kapangyarihan). Mula sa (pantig) iḍā, at saka ito’y itaas “mula sa ibayo” (mula sa transendenteng pinagmulan); (Siya) ay kasama ng mga diyos (sadevaḥ) at kasama rin ang sanhi at saligan ng pagpapakita (savikāraṇam).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Dhyāna/uccāra orientation for a Śaiva mantra-kalpa: visualizing the deity as Citrabhānu–Śiva–Kāla with Mahāśakti, and performing syllabic/energetic ascent beginning with iḍā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Citrabhānu-Śiva-Kāla Dhyāna with Mahāśakti; Iḍā-Ādi Utkramana","lookup_keywords":["citrabhānu","kāla","mahāśakti","iḍā","mantra-dhyāna"],"quick_summary":"Gives a contemplative identification of the mantra-deity as luminous Citrabhānu, Śiva, and Time empowered by Mahāśakti, with a practice cue to begin from iḍā and raise the current from the transcendent source, encompassing gods and causal manifestation."}
Concept: Śiva as Kāla (Time) and as luminous consciousness, inseparable from Mahāśakti; manifestation proceeds from a causal basis yet is encompassed by the divine.
Application: In meditation, hold the identity of mantra-deity as time-transcending yet time-governing; use channel-based ascent (iḍā-ādi) to stabilize attention and integrate śakti into japa.
Khanda Section: Shiva-Tantra / Mantra-vidhi (Ishana-kalpa orientation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditating sādhaka visualizes a radiant Śiva as Citrabhānu with a time-wheel/sun disc, Mahāśakti united at his side; subtle nāḍī diagram shows iḍā beginning and an upward ascent from a transcendent point above the crown.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, luminous Śiva-Kāla with sun/time-wheel halo, Śakti as inseparable energy, swirling prāṇa lines entering from iḍā side, deep reds and blacks with bright gold-ochre highlights, sacred geometry backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Citrabhānu Śiva with brilliant gold-leaf radiance, Kāla symbols (chakra, sun disc), Mahāśakti adorned, attendants (sadeva) around, ornate arch and heavy gold detailing, meditating devotee below.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic devotional image: deity visualization on top, below a clear nāḍī sketch highlighting iḍā start and upward raising, fine linework and soft colors, instructional labels in margins.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in meditation within a pavilion; above him a translucent radiant Śiva-Kāla vision with sun disc; a thin painted line traces iḍā ascent; delicate floral borders and calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महाशक्तिसमन्वितम् = महा + शक्ति + समन्वितम्; इडाद्यं = इडा + आद्यम्; परतोद्वृत्य = परतः + उद्वृत्य; सदेवः = स + देवः; सविकारणम् = स + विकारणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (mantra-dhyāna section for Gaurī/Śaiva-Śākta worship); Agni Purana 324 (tattva and operational mantra-rites background)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna/mantra-style identification of the deity—Śiva as Kāla united with Mahāśakti—and hints at a syllabic/energetic raising (uddhāra) beginning with iḍā, used for focused contemplation and mantra-prayoga.
Alongside law, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves tantric-ritual and metaphysical instruction—here, a compact Shiva–Shakti theology paired with practical mantra/dhyāna technique.
Meditating on Śiva as transcendent Time united with supreme Power is presented as a purifying alignment with the causal source of manifestation, supporting inner steadiness and spiritual merit through disciplined contemplation.