Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
कारयन् भवनं याति यत्रास्ते गरुडध्वजः बाल्ये तु क्रीडमाणा ये पांशुभिर्भवनं हरेः
kārayan bhavanaṃ yāti yatrāste garuḍadhvajaḥ bālye tu krīḍamāṇā ye pāṃśubhirbhavanaṃ hareḥ
مَن يُسبِّب بناءَ مسكنٍ (معبد/مقام) يبلغُ العالَمَ الذي يقيم فيه الربُّ ذو رايةِ غارودا (فيشنو). وحتى الذين في طفولتهم يلعبون فيبنون من الرمل بيتًا لهَري ينالون ذلك الثواب.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s teachings to sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Building or sponsoring a Vishnu temple/abode (ayatana/bhavana) and encouraging even symbolic devotional acts (children’s sand-temples) as meritorious.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Bhavana/ayatana-karana for Garuḍadhvaja—attainment of Vishnu-loka","lookup_keywords":["bhavana-karana","Garudadhvaja","Vishnu-loka","sand-temple","balya-punya"],"quick_summary":"Constructing Hari’s abode leads to Vishnu’s realm; even playful, childlike construction of a sand-house for Hari is credited as devotion-bearing merit."}
Concept: Bhakti is validated by intention and service; even simple, playful offerings can bear spiritual fruit when oriented to Hari.
Application: Encourage community temple service and cultivate devotion in children through simple acts (making small shrines, offering flowers).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vishnu-bhakti (Merit of service and association with Hari’s abode)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A newly built Vishnu temple with a Garuḍa-banner fluttering; a patron oversees artisans, while nearby children joyfully build a small sand-shrine and place tiny flowers on it.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple courtyard with Garuḍa-dhvaja, artisans and patron, children making a sand shrine; stylized palms, lamps, and rhythmic figures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vishnu temple façade with gold-highlighted Garuḍa-banner; foreground children offering flowers to a sand shrine; rich ornamentation and embossed gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle narrative panel—left: temple construction; right: children’s sand-temple; fine detailing of tools, bricks, and devotional gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: architectural precision of a temple compound, patron with attendants, craftsmen at work; playful children shaping sand; delicate banner with Garuḍa emblem."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्रास्ते = यत्र + आस्ते (अ + आ → आ); पांशुभिर्भवनं = पांशुभिः + भवनम् (visarga before b → r).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on temple merit (ayatana-mahatmya); Agni Purana puja-vidhi on seva and nirmalya/cleaning
FAQs
It teaches the merit (puṇya) of commissioning or constructing Hari’s abode—understood as a Vishnu-temple or sacred dwelling—and affirms that even symbolic acts (like children building a sand-house for Hari) generate devotional merit.
Alongside its many technical subjects, the Agni Purana also codifies practical religious life—here, the doctrine of karmic reward connected to sacred architecture and devotional service, linking ritual practice and spiritual destination (Vishnu’s realm).
It emphasizes intention and devotion: building (or enabling the building of) Hari’s abode leads to proximity to Vishnu’s presence, and even playful, childlike offerings done with sincerity are credited with spiritual merit.