Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
यज्ञविद्या महाविद्या गुह्यविद्या च शोभने आत्मविद्या च देवि त्वं विमुक्तिफलदायिनी
yajñavidyā mahāvidyā guhyavidyā ca śobhane ātmavidyā ca devi tvaṃ vimuktiphaladāyinī
أيتها الإلهة المباركة، أنتِ علمُ اليَجْنَة (التضحية الطقسية)، وأنتِ المعرفةُ العظمى، والمعرفةُ السرّية، ومعرفةُ الذات (آتمن)؛ يا ديفي، يا مانحةَ ثمرةِ الموكشا، أي التحرّر.
Lord Agni (narrating the stuti within the Agni Purana’s discourse to the sages, traditionally including Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Devī-upāsanā as a unifying contemplation of all vidyās—using the hymn as a daily recitation to orient study, ritual, and self-inquiry toward mokṣa.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī as Yajñavidyā–Mahāvidyā–Guhyavidyā–Ātmavidyā (Mokṣa-phala)","lookup_keywords":["yajñavidyā","mahāvidyā","guhyavidyā","ātmavidyā","vimukti-phala"],"quick_summary":"The Goddess is praised as the very principle behind ritual knowledge, higher/secret knowledge, and Self-knowledge. The practical takeaway is to integrate karma (yajña) and jñāna (ātma-vidyā) under Devī-bhakti aimed at liberation."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (repetition) / Nāma-mālā (string of epithets)
Concept: All forms of knowledge—ritual, secret, and Self-knowledge—culminate in liberation when rooted in Devī as consciousness-power (śakti).
Application: Use stotra-japa to align ritual duties with self-inquiry; treat ‘guhya’ as disciplined inner practice rather than mere secrecy.
Khanda Section: Devi-stuti and Vidya-prakarana (Tantric/Mantric Praise of the Goddess as Knowledge)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Devī enthroned as the personification of multiple knowledges—ritual fire and ladle (yajña), a hidden manuscript (guhya), a luminous heart-lotus (ātma-vidyā)—bestowing liberation-light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of Devī as Vidyā-śakti, serene face, large expressive eyes, surrounded by yajña symbols (agni-kuṇḍa, sruk), palm-leaf manuscripts, subtle halo, earthy reds and greens, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Devī seated on lotus, heavy gold halo and ornaments, holding manuscript and rosary, miniature yajña altar at her feet, embossed gold work emphasizing ‘mahāvidyā’, calm śānta mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional devotional painting: Devī labeled with epithets (yajñavidyā, mahāvidyā, guhyavidyā, ātmavidyā) in small callouts, soft shading, delicate lines, scholarly ambience.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: allegorical Devī in a courtly pavilion, scholars and priests around, a small yajña scene, a yogin meditating, fine detailing of manuscripts and ritual implements, luminous but restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: समासरूपाणि: yajñavidyā, mahāvidyā, guhyavidyā, ātmavidyā, vimuktiphaladāyinī।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (Devī-stuti / vidyā-prakaraṇa context)
FAQs
It identifies the Goddess as yajña-vidyā—the operative know-how of sacrifice and ritual procedure—while also affirming her as guhyavidyā, the esoteric mantra-based knowledge that underlies and empowers rites.
By placing multiple domains—ritual science (yajña), higher wisdom (mahāvidyā), esoteric instruction (guhyavidyā), and self-knowledge (ātmavidyā)—under a single theological principle, it reflects the Agni Purana’s breadth in integrating practical rites with philosophical liberation-teachings.
The verse frames devotion and right understanding as culminating in vimukti-phala: ritual and secret teachings are not merely for worldly results but are oriented toward purification and final liberation.