Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
वीतिहोत्रो नयः साध्यो हंसो नारायणो ऽवतु विभुश् चैव प्रभुश् चैव देवश्रेष्ठा जगद्धिताः
vītihotro nayaḥ sādhyo haṃso nārāyaṇo 'vatu vibhuś caiva prabhuś caiva devaśreṣṭhā jagaddhitāḥ
Mögen Vītihotra, Naya, Sādhya, Haṃsa und Nārāyaṇa mich beschützen; ebenso mögen Vibhu und Prabhu—die Höchsten unter den Göttern, Wohltäter der Welt—Schutz gewähren.
Lord Agni (narrating a protective hymn/recitation within the Agni Purana’s discourse tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective recitation (raksha) by invoking specific divine epithets for personal and communal well-being.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Protective epithets: Vītihotra–Naya–Sādhya–Haṃsa–Nārāyaṇa","lookup_keywords":["raksha-stotra","Narayana","Hamsa","divine epithets","Agni Purana 219"],"quick_summary":"A compact protective invocation: recite these names as a shield (rakṣā) and as a closing benediction in worship or daily prayer."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (name-chain cadence)
Concept: Nāma-smaraṇa as protective upāya (means) and alignment with the divine order.
Application: Use as japa before travel, illness, sleep, or at the start/end of pūjā for mental steadiness and devotional focus.
Khanda Section: Nama-stotra / Vishnu-Sahasranama-style Eulogy (Protective Divine Epithets)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee in añjali posture recites a chain of Vishnu-epithets; behind, a serene Nārāyaṇa presence with a symbolic haṃsa motif and protective aura.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy palette, Nārāyaṇa as luminous protector with subtle haṃsa emblem, devotee chanting, ornamental borders, sacred calm","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Nārāyaṇa with gold halo and rich jewelry, small kneeling devotee reciting names, embossed gold work emphasizing protective radiance","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, soft colors, text-panel feel with epithets, Nārāyaṇa/haṃsa symbolism, instructional devotional scene","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly devotee reading from a palm-leaf/manuscript, ethereal Vishnu apparition in the sky, fine detailing, subdued spiritual atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नारायणो ऽवतु = नारायणः + अवतु (अः + अ → ओऽ). विभुश्/प्रभुश् = विभुः/प्रभुः (विसर्ग-सन्धि before च). सतत-समुच्चयः: अनेकाः प्रथमा-एकवचन/बहुवचन-शब्दाः स्तुत्यर्थं, क्रिया: अवतु।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (nama-stotra sequence); Agni Purana sections on stotra/japa-vidhi (adjacent chapters)
FAQs
It teaches nāma-smaraṇa (protective recitation of divine epithets), where invoking specific names—Haṃsa, Nārāyaṇa, Vibhu, Prabhu, etc.—is used as a practical spiritual safeguard.
Alongside law, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves liturgical material—stotras and name-lists—showing how devotion and ritualized recitation function as applied religious practice.
Chanting these divine names is presented as a means of śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and puṇya (merit), cultivating protection, steadiness of mind, and alignment with dharma through remembrance of the world-benefiting Lord.