Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
एकनेत्रो द्विनेत्रश् च त्रिशिखो दीर्घबाहुकः एकपादर्धचन्द्रश् च बलपो योगिनीप्रियः
ekanetro dvinetraś ca triśikho dīrghabāhukaḥ ekapādardhacandraś ca balapo yoginīpriyaḥ
وہ ایک آنکھ والا بھی ہے اور دو آنکھوں والا بھی؛ تین شِکھاؤں والا، دراز بازو؛ ایک پاؤں والا، آدھا چاند دھارنے والا؛ قوی، اور یوگنیوں کا محبوب ہے۔
Lord Agni (narrating) to the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Provides dhyāna/arcana-ready descriptors for Rudra-Śiva forms (eyes, crest, arms, pāda, ardhacandra), useful for iconography, visualization, and mantra-linked worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rudra-Śiva dhyāna-lakṣaṇa: eyes, crest, limbs, ardhacandra, yoginī-priya","lookup_keywords":["ekanetra","dvinetra","triśikha","dīrghabāhu","ardhacandra"],"quick_summary":"A compact iconographic-dhyāna profile of Śiva/Rudra emphasizing variable eye-forms, three-crested mark, long arms, one-footed aspect, crescent moon, strength, and affinity with Yoginīs."}
Alamkara Type: Viśeṣaṇa-saṅghāta (clustered epithets)
Concept: Form as a vehicle of realization: precise dhyāna-lakṣaṇa stabilizes mind, enabling mantra to ‘take shape’ as iṣṭa-devatā.
Application: Before japa or pūjā, visualize these lakṣaṇas sequentially (eyes → crest → arms → foot → crescent → śakti-circle of yoginīs) to deepen ekāgratā.
Khanda Section: Isana-kalpa / Rudra-Shiva Nama-Varnana (Tantric-ritual epithets and iconographic descriptors)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dynamic Rudra-Śiva form with long arms, crescent moon in matted hair, a three-crested topknot/crest, shown in variant emphasis of one eye or two eyes, standing in an ekapāda stance, surrounded by Yoginīs in a protective circle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fierce yet auspicious Śiva with crescent and triśikha, elongated arms, ekapāda stance, ring of Yoginīs with stylized faces, deep reds/ochres, bold outlines, temple-mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, majestic Śiva with gold-leaf halo, crescent highlighted in silver-gold, long arms with ornaments, ekapāda pose on lotus pedestal, Yoginīs as small attendant figures, heavy jewelry and embossed details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, refined dhyāna illustration: clear depiction of triśikha, crescent, eye-variant (one-eye emphasis), proportionate long arms, Yoginī circle lightly indicated, soft colors and fine brushwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, Śiva in a forest clearing with crescent and topknot, ekapāda stance, Yoginīs as elegant attendants, intricate textiles and jewelry, delicate shading, ornate border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ekanetro → ekanetraḥ; dvinetraś → dvinetraḥ ca; ekapādardhacandraś → ekapādardhacandraḥ ca
Related Themes: Agni Purana Śiva-dhyāna/stotra and liṅga/arcana sections; Agni Purana 316 (Śaiva mantra context)
FAQs
It provides dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditative identifiers) of Rudra–Śiva used in pūjā and mantra-japa contexts—epithets that fix the deity’s form and powers (e.g., crescent emblem, Yoginī affiliation).
Beyond narrative, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual-technology: name-lists, iconographic markers, and tantric associations (Yoginīs), functioning like a reference manual for worship, visualization, and temple/household devotion.
Reciting and contemplating these epithets is treated as a purifying remembrance (smaraṇa) that stabilizes devotion and aligns the practitioner with Śiva’s protective and transformative power, traditionally yielding merit and removal of obstacles.