Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
त्वया देवि परित्यक्तं सकलं भुवनत्रयं विनष्टप्रायमभवत् त्वयेदानीं समेधितं
tvayā devi parityaktaṃ sakalaṃ bhuvanatrayaṃ vinaṣṭaprāyamabhavat tvayedānīṃ samedhitaṃ
أيتها الإلهة، حين انصرفتِ تَكَادُ العوالمُ الثلاثةُ أن تهلك؛ ولكن بكِ الآن قد أُعيد لها الازدهار من جديد.
A devotee/narrative voice offering praise to Devi (Goddess as the sustaining power)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Cultivating a worldview where prosperity and stability of the ‘three worlds’ depend on sustaining dharma and śakti—used in communal prayers for restoration after crisis.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śakti-withdrawal and Restoration of the Three Worlds (Bhuvana-traya)","lookup_keywords":["bhuvana-traya","parityakta","vināśa","samṛddhi","śakti"],"quick_summary":"When Devī’s sustaining power is withdrawn, the cosmos declines; when she is present, it flourishes. Practically, it frames restoration—personal or societal—as re-establishing alignment with Devī/dharma."}
Alamkara Type: Antithesis (withdrawal vs flourishing)
Concept: The world’s order and prosperity are contingent on the sustaining divine power (śakti) and its expression as dharma; absence of that support leads to near-destruction.
Application: For communities: pair stotra with dharmic action (charity, protection of dependents, truthful governance) as ‘restoration’ practices; for individuals: re-center life through daily worship and ethical discipline.
Khanda Section: Devi-Mahatmya / Shakti-stuti (Goddess-centered praise and cosmological restoration)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuṇa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split-scene: on one side the three worlds dim and wither as Devī’s light recedes; on the other side, her return brings greenery, order, and renewed celestial and earthly activity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative panel: left half shows fading devas, wilting trees, darkened skies; right half shows Devī radiant, devas revived, rivers flowing, lotuses blooming; strong contrasts and temple-story composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Devī central with gold radiance expanding outward; below, three-tier cosmos (heaven, earth, nether) transitioning from dull to vibrant; ornate gold to signify ‘samṛddhi’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean didactic composition—three horizontal bands for the worlds, arrows indicating decline and restoration, Devī’s presence as luminous center; soft colors and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: allegorical landscape with two vignettes—ruin and renewal—Devī appearing in the sky like a benevolent sovereign; intricate flora and architectural detail showing prosperity returning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shivaranjani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vinaṣṭaprāyamabhavat → vinaṣṭa-prāyam + abhavat; tvayedānīm → tvayā + idānīm.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (Śakti-stuti cosmological claims)
FAQs
This verse conveys stuti-vidhi in essence: the doctrinal point that the Goddess is the sustaining power of the cosmos—her withdrawal causes decline and her presence restores prosperity—supporting devotional recitation (stotra) as a means to invoke protection and well-being.
It encapsulates a core Puranic cosmological principle—maintenance and dissolution tied to divine śakti—showing how the Agni Purana integrates theology, cosmology, and practical devotion (praise/recitation) alongside its many other domains.
It frames devotion to Devi as alignment with the force that upholds order and prosperity; praising and remembering her is presented as spiritually protective, supporting stability (śānti) and flourishing (sampad) in one’s life and world.