Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
त्वयावलोकिताः सद्यः शीलाद्यैर् अखिलैर् गुणैः कुलैश्वर्यैश् च युज्यन्ते पुरुषा निर्गुणा अपि
tvayāvalokitāḥ sadyaḥ śīlādyair akhilair guṇaiḥ kulaiśvaryaiś ca yujyante puruṣā nirguṇā api
حتى الرجال الخالون من الفضائل، إذا وقع عليهم نظركِ، يُمنحون في الحال جميع الخصال بدءًا بحسن السيرة، ويُقرنون أيضًا بشرف النسب والثراء والازدهار.
Lord Agni (narrator) addressing Sage Vasiṣṭha (implied dialogue frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Used in devotional recitation to invoke Śrī/Lakṣmī’s grace for immediate uplift in character (śīla), social standing, and prosperity; also supports faith in darśana-mahātmyam (transformative power of divine sight).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Darśana-mahātmyam of Devī (instant bestowal of guṇa, kula, aiśvarya)","lookup_keywords":["darśana-mahātmyam","śīla-guṇa","kula-aiśvarya","Lakṣmī-kṛpā","phala-śruti"],"quick_summary":"The verse teaches that the Goddess’s glance (avalokana) is transformative: even the unqualified become endowed with conduct, virtues, noble lineage-status, and prosperity."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Guṇa and social flourishing are portrayed as arising from divine grace; darśana is a catalyst for inner and outer auspiciousness.
Application: Cultivate devotion and ethical conduct while seeking the deity’s darśana; employ the verse in daily stotra for śīla and śrī (prosperity).
Khanda Section: Stuti–Prasamsa (Phala-श्रुति / Darśana-mahātmyam: merit of being seen by the virtuous)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lakṣmī/Śrī casts an auspicious glance upon ordinary people; as her gaze falls, their demeanor becomes refined and their surroundings turn prosperous.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Goddess Lakṣmī with lotus, golden aura, large expressive eyes; her sidelong glance blessing a group of humble devotees who transform into well-dressed, serene figures; rich reds, greens, and ochres; temple-like backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: Lakṣmī seated on lotus with heavy gold foil ornaments and prabhāmaṇḍala; devotees below receiving her glance; symbols of prosperity (kalasha, grains) rendered with embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: delicate linework and soft shading; Lakṣmī’s gaze shown as a subtle ray of light touching devotees; before-and-after contrast in posture and attire; minimal background architecture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly scene where a radiant goddess appears; her glance elevates commoners into noble attire; fine textiles, detailed faces, and architectural pavilion; subdued yet luminous palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tvayā+avalokitāḥ → tvayāvalokitāḥ; śīla+ādyaiḥ → śīlādyaiḥ; kula+aiśvaryaiḥ → kulaiśvaryaiḥ; nirguṇāḥ+api → nirguṇā api (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236.15; Agni Purana 236.16; Agni Purana 236.17; Agni Purana 236.18
FAQs
It conveys darśana-mahātmyam: the doctrine that the auspicious sight (avalokana) of a spiritually potent being can immediately confer dharmic qualities and worldly uplift (kula-aiśvarya) even upon the unrefined.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves practical soteriology—how merit and character transformation occur—here presenting a compact doctrine of moral uplift through sacred contact (darśana/saṅga).
It asserts that association with sanctity is karmically catalytic: even the 'nirguṇa' person can rapidly gain śīla and other guṇas, implying purification and improved destiny through reverent encounter.