Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
त्रित्रिकस्त्रिप्रलम्बश् च त्रिभिर्व्याप्नोति यस् तथा त्रिबलीमांस्त्रिविनतस्त्रिकालज्ञश् च सुव्रत
tritrikastripralambaś ca tribhirvyāpnoti yas tathā tribalīmāṃstrivinatastrikālajñaś ca suvrata
তিনি ‘ত্রিত্রিক’ ও ‘ত্রিপ্রলম্ব’; আর যিনি ত্রিবিধ (লোক/অবস্থা) জুড়ে ব্যাপ্ত, তিনিও তেমনই। তিনি ‘ত্রিবলীমাণ’, ‘ত্রিবিনত’, ‘ত্রিকালজ্ঞ’ এবং ‘সুব্রত’।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Devotional recitation for cultivating remembrance of Viṣṇu’s omnipresence and time-transcending sovereignty; used in daily worship and vrata contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Viṣṇu-nāma: Tri-śabda cluster (Tritrika–Trikālajña–Suvrata)","lookup_keywords":["vishnu-sahasranama","trikalajna","suvrata","tripralamba","tribalimaan"],"quick_summary":"A sequence of Viṣṇu epithets emphasizing ‘threefold’ pervasion, strength, and knowledge of past-present-future, concluding with the ideal of perfect vows (suvrata)."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa
Concept: Īśvara’s tri-kāla-jñatva (knowledge of three times) and tri-loka-vyāpti (pervasion) as grounds for refuge and right conduct (suvrata).
Application: Recite with contemplation on time (past/present/future) to steady mind and strengthen ethical resolve (vrata-niyama).
Khanda Section: Vishnu-sahasranama / Nama-stotra (Names of Vishnu as encyclopedic dharma-teaching)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotional tableau of Viṣṇu as the all-pervading lord, with threefold motifs: three worlds, three times, and threefold power; the names appear as a garland of syllables around him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Viṣṇu with serene face, conch-disc-mace-lotus, surrounded by three circular vignettes for past-present-future and three tiers for the worlds; bold contours, saturated greens and reds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: seated Viṣṇu on lotus with heavy gold work; three small medallions labeled with tri-kāla; ornate arch and jeweled crown; name-garland motif in gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined devotional portrait of Viṣṇu; subtle background showing three horizons (earth, mid-region, heaven); calligraphic rendering of the epithets in the margins.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: Viṣṇu depicted in a syncretic courtly style with delicate shading; allegorical panels showing sunrise-noon-night (three times) and three realms; fine floral borders and Persianate depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tritrikastripralambaś = tri-trikaḥ tri-pralambaḥ (visarga sandhi); tribhirvyāpnoti = tribhiḥ vyāpnoti; yas = yaḥ; tribalīmāṃs = tri-balīmān; trivinatastrikālajñaś = tri-vinataḥ tri-kāla-jñaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections transmitting Viṣṇu-sahasranāma / nāma-stotra passages (within the same compilation block)
FAQs
This verse teaches stotra-vidyā through precise divine epithets—meditative name-recitation that encodes theology (God’s pervasion, omniscience across three times, and disciplined vow-nature) for japa and contemplation.
By compressing metaphysics into technical Sanskrit names (triadic pervasion, threefold power, knowledge of time), it exemplifies the Purana’s encyclopedic method—teaching doctrine, ethics (suvrata), and cosmological categories through compact nomenclature.
Reciting and understanding these names is treated as purifying devotion: it aligns the practitioner with suvrata (right observance) and cultivates faith in the Lord’s all-pervading, time-knowing protection—supporting merit (puṇya) and steadiness of mind.