Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Chapter 172 — “Expiations beginning with the Secret
Rites)” (Rahasya-ādi-prāyaścitta
ध्यातो हरति यत् पापं स्वप्ने दृष्टस्तु भावनात् तमुपेन्द्रमहं विष्णुं प्रणतार्तिहरं हरिं
dhyāto harati yat pāpaṃ svapne dṛṣṭastu bhāvanāt tamupendramahaṃ viṣṇuṃ praṇatārtiharaṃ hariṃ
Jener Herr, der, wenn er in Meditation bedacht wird, die Sünde fortnimmt, und der, wenn er durch anhaltende bhāvanā im Traum geschaut wird, ebenfalls Läuterung gewährt—jenen Upendra, jenen Viṣṇu, Hari, der den Kummer der sich Verneigenden nimmt, verehre ich.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Use in worship as a phala-shruti: meditation and sustained bhavana leading to purification; reinforces faith in smarana and dream-vision as signs of inner assimilation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Smarana-phala: papa-harana and svapna-darshana of Vishnu","lookup_keywords":["dhyana-phala","svapna-darshana","papa-harana","Upendra","pranata-artihara"],"quick_summary":"States the fruits of meditation: sin is removed by dhyana, and sustained contemplation may yield auspicious dream-vision. Practical takeaway: maintain steady bhavana; interpret uplifting dream-vision as encouragement toward purity and surrender."}
Alamkara Type: Phala-shruti; Epithets (Upendra, Vishnu, Hari) as nama-traya
Concept: Dhyana and sustained bhavana purify; the Lord responds as pranata-artihara (remover of distress for the surrendered).
Application: Before sleep, do brief Vishnu-dhyana and nama-japa; keep conduct pure; if a serene Vishnu dream occurs, renew vows and continue practice without pride.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-stuti and Smarana-phala)
Primary Rasa: Bhakti
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee meditating on Vishnu; a second layer shows a dream scene where Vishnu appears, dispelling darkness; the Lord as compassionate refuge for the bowed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: two-register composition—upper: dream-vision of Vishnu on a lotus with shankha-chakra, glowing; lower: devotee asleep on a mat with japa-mala nearby; warm lamp-lit temple ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vishnu in dream framed by gold leaf prabhavali; devotee below in meditation; rich textiles, ornate jewelry, and luminous halo emphasizing papa-harana grace.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle narrative—meditating devotee, then a soft cloud vignette of dream-Vishnu; fine facial expressions, pastel tones, clear instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: night chamber scene with sleeping devotee; above, a delicate cloud cartouche containing Vishnu’s apparition; intricate bedding patterns and subtle moonlight."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दृष्टः+तु→दृष्टस्तु; तम्+उपेन्द्रम्+अहम्→तमुपेन्द्रमहं
Related Themes: Agni Purana 172.5 (papa-nasha by contemplation); Agni Purana stotra-mantra sections on Vishnu-nama and dhyana
FAQs
It teaches Viṣṇu-smaraṇa as a practical sādhanā: meditation and sustained bhāvanā are presented as means that destroy pāpa, even extending to purificatory dream-visions arising from contemplation.
Alongside its many technical subjects, the Agni Purana also codifies concise bhakti-ritual principles—here, a compact doctrine of meditation’s results (phala), integrating theology (Viṣṇu/Hari/Upendra) with applied spiritual practice (dhyāna, bhāvanā, smṛti).
The verse asserts that remembering Viṣṇu has expiatory power: dhyāna removes karmic demerit, and heartfelt surrender (praṇati) brings relief from distress through Hari’s grace.