Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 44
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
पुंसां शतं नावलोक्यं भवद्भिर्दुष्टचेतसा यस्तु देवालयं विष्णोर्दारुशैलमयं तथा
puṃsāṃ śataṃ nāvalokyaṃ bhavadbhirduṣṭacetasā yastu devālayaṃ viṣṇordāruśailamayaṃ tathā
ولو كان المرء ذو نية فاسدة فلا ينظر حتى إلى مئة رجل، فإن من يشاهد معبد فيشنو—سواء كان من خشب أو من حجر—ينال ثوابًا وبركة.
Lord Agni (in narration to Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Encourage temple-darśana as a simple, accessible devotional act with merit even when inner purity is imperfect; supports pilgrimage/temple visitation culture.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Merit of beholding Viṣṇu’s temple (wood or stone)","lookup_keywords":["devalaya-darśana","viṣṇu","dāru","śaila","puṇya"],"quick_summary":"Darśana of Viṣṇu’s temple itself—whether built of wood or stone—confers merit, underscoring the sanctity of sacred architecture and the devotional power of sight (darśana) even for those with imperfect mental purity."}
Concept: Darśana is a valid devotional sādhana; contact with the sacred (even by sight) can begin purification despite mental impurity.
Application: Promote regular temple visitation, especially for beginners; use darśana as an entry practice alongside gradual cultivation of inner śuddhi.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devalaya-darshana-mahatmya (Temple worship and merit of temple-darśana)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim with a troubled/impure expression pauses and simply looks at a Viṣṇu temple; two temples are shown—one wooden with carved beams, one stone with a solid gateway—both radiating sanctity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, twin temple vignettes: wooden shrine with ornate timber roof and stone shrine with gopura-like entrance; pilgrim at threshold with folded hands; lamp glow, flat colors, devotional calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu temple façade with gold highlights; inset panel of wooden shrine; pilgrim receiving grace through sight; rich ornamentation, halo-like radiance around the devalaya.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, architectural study feel: clearly differentiate dāru-maya vs śaila-maya construction; pilgrim in foreground; soft palette and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed streetscape leading to temple; one wooden pavilion-like shrine and one stone temple; pilgrim gazing from a respectful distance; intricate textures of wood grain and stone."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāvalokyam = na + avalokyam; bhavadbhirduṣṭacetasā = bhavadbhiḥ + duṣṭacetasā (visarga sandhi); viṣṇordāruśaila- = viṣṇoḥ + dāruśaila- (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 38 (devalaya-darśana-māhātmya, pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It teaches the ritual principle of devalaya-darśana: merely beholding Viṣṇu’s temple—even if built of wood or stone—functions as a meritorious act within pūjā-vidhi.
By codifying temple-related practice (darśana, devālaya, and the legitimacy of different construction materials), it preserves practical religious procedure alongside the Purāṇa’s many other technical domains.
It underscores that contact with Viṣṇu’s sacred space (temple-darśana) generates puṇya and can counteract the effects of mental impurity, emphasizing the purificatory power of sacred sight.