Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 66
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्वापि यः पठेत्पाठयेदपि लिखेल्लेखापयेद्वापि युजयेत्कीर्तयेदपि
śṛṇuyācchrāvayedvāpi yaḥ paṭhetpāṭhayedapi likhellekhāpayedvāpi yujayetkīrtayedapi
من سمع (هذا التعليم البوراني) أو جعله مسموعًا؛ ومن تلاه أو جعله متلوًّا؛ ومن كتبه أو جعله مكتوبًا؛ ومن عمل به أو جهر بإعلانه وتسبيحه—فإنه ينال الثواب الديني المذكور.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Establish multiple modes of dharma-propagation—listening, teaching, reciting, commissioning copies, and public proclamation—to accrue merit and preserve the Purāṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Puṇya-sādhana through Purāṇa transmission (śravaṇa–pāṭha–lekhana–kīrtana)","lookup_keywords":["shravanam","patha","lekhana","kirtana","purana phala"],"quick_summary":"Merit arises not only from personal recitation but also from enabling others—hearing, teaching, copying, applying, and proclaiming the text. The verse functions as a checklist for dissemination practices."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (repetitive verbal pattern) and Yamaka-like cadence via paired verbs
Concept: Dharma increases through śravaṇa and pravacana; enabling transmission is itself a puṇya-kriyā.
Application: Organize readings, sponsor a reciter, maintain a study circle, commission a manuscript/print, and share teachings responsibly (yujayet) in conduct.
Khanda Section: Phala-śruti (Merit of Recitation, Teaching, and Dissemination of the Text)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequence-like depiction of devotees listening, a paurāṇika reciting, a teacher instructing, scribes copying manuscripts, and a public kīrtana/proclamation of Purāṇic themes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative panel divided into vignettes: temple mandapa listening scene, paurāṇika with palm-leaf, scribe writing, devotees singing, warm earthy tones, rhythmic repetition motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central paurāṇika on vyāsāsana with gold halo-like arch, side panels showing writing and teaching, devotees with lamps, rich gold work emphasizing ‘puṇya’","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional montage: teacher pointing to manuscript, students repeating, scribe with stylus, clean lines and soft colors, emphasis on learning process","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, library-cum-assembly: listeners on carpets, reciter on dais, scribes at low desks, delicate architectural details, calligraphic labels for śravaṇa/pāṭha/lekhana/kīrtana"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शृणुयात्+श्रावयेत्→शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेत्; श्रावयेत्+वा+अपि→श्रावयेद्वापि; पठेत्+पाठयेत्→पठेत्पाठयेत्; लिखेत्+लेखापयेत्→लिखेल्लेखापयेत्; लेखापयेत्+वा+अपि→लेखापयेद्वापि; युजयेत्+कीर्तयेत्→युजयेत्कीर्तयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana phala-śruti passages at the end of major sections; Agni Purana instructions on vrata, dāna, and śrāddha where ‘śravaṇa’ is praised
FAQs
It teaches the authorized modes of transmitting sacred knowledge—hearing, recitation, teaching, writing/copying, practical application, and public proclamation—as valid religious engagements.
By validating multiple channels of knowledge preservation (oral, pedagogical, scribal, and practical), it frames the Purana as a compendium meant to be learned, taught, copied, and applied—supporting its wide-ranging, encyclopedic function.
It asserts that merit accrues not only from personal study but also from enabling others—through teaching, sponsoring recitation, copying manuscripts, and public kīrtana—thus amplifying dharmic fruit through dissemination.