Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 24
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
साभयं वरदं पञ्चवदंनञ्च त्रिलोचनम् पत्रेषु मुर्तयः पञ्च स्थाप्यास्तत्पुरुषादयः
sābhayaṃ varadaṃ pañcavadaṃnañca trilocanam patreṣu murtayaḥ pañca sthāpyāstatpuruṣādayaḥ
اسے اَبھَے اور وَر دینے والا، پانچ چہروں والا اور تین آنکھوں والا تصور کیا جائے؛ اور پتیوں پر تَتپُرُش وغیرہ پانچ مُورتیاں قائم کی جائیں۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Iconographic and nyasa installation: depict Śiva with specific facial/ocular features and install the Pañcabrahma-mūrtis (Tatpuruṣa etc.) on ritual leaves for worship and internal mapping.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pañcabrahma-mūrti-nyāsa with Pañcavaktra Śiva Iconography","lookup_keywords":["panchabrahma","tatpurusha","panchavaktra shiva","trilocana","abhaya varada"],"quick_summary":"Visualize Śiva as five-faced, three-eyed, granting fearlessness and boons; then install the five Brahma-aspects beginning with Tatpuruṣa on the designated leaves to complete the pañcabrahma-nyāsa."}
Concept: The one Śiva is approached through fivefold manifestation (pañcabrahma), integrating cosmological functions into worship and body-mandala mapping.
Application: During nyāsa, correlate each face/aspect with its direction/function; let abhaya-varada signify inner fearlessness and ethical steadiness in practice.
Khanda Section: Isana-kalpa / Puja-vidhi (Pañcabrahma-mūrti-nyāsa and iconographic installation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A five-faced, three-eyed Śiva icon showing abhaya and varada; around him five leaf-plates (patras) arranged for nyāsa, each labeled with a Pañcabrahma aspect starting with Tatpuruṣa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, pañcavaktra Śiva with strong stylized faces, three eyes emphasized, abhaya-varada gestures clear, five leaf-plates around with inscriptions, temple mural palette and bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, majestic five-faced Śiva with heavy gold embossing, halo and ornaments in gold, leaf-plates rendered as decorative panels with gold borders, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise iconographic rendering of five faces and mudras, diagram-like placement of five patras with neat labels (Tatpuruṣa etc.), soft shading and instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed multi-faced Śiva seated, attendants arranging leaf-plates for nyāsa, fine calligraphy cartouches naming the five aspects, ornate architectural frame"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pañcavadaṃnañca → pañca-vadam + ca; sthāpyāstatpuruṣādayaḥ → sthāpyāḥ tatpuruṣa-ādayaḥ (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Isana-kalpa; pañcabrahma-nyāsa context)
FAQs
It teaches Pañcabrahma-oriented Śaiva ritual procedure: visualizing Śiva as abhaya-varada, pañcavaktra, trilocana, and performing patra-nyāsa by installing the five mūrtis (Tatpuruṣa onward) on ritual leaves.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves precise liturgical and iconographic specifications—how to represent the deity and how to execute a technical installation (sthāpana/nyāsa), reflecting the Purāṇa’s compendium-style coverage of ritual science.
Correct installation of the five Śiva-forms is held to sanctify the rite, align the worshipper with Śiva’s protective and boon-bestowing powers (abhaya/vara), and generate merit through properly ordered devotional action (vidhi-yukta pūjā).