Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Chapter 48 — Account of the Hymn to the Twenty-Four Forms
Caturviṁśati-mūrti-stotra-kathana
केशवादिप्रभेदेन ऐकैकस्य त्रिधा क्रमात् द्वादशाक्षरकं स्तोत्रं चतुर्विंशतिमूर्तिमत् यः पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि निर्मलः सर्वमाप्नुयात्
keśavādiprabhedena aikaikasya tridhā kramāt dvādaśākṣarakaṃ stotraṃ caturviṃśatimūrtimat yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyādvāpi nirmalaḥ sarvamāpnuyāt
Durch die Unterscheidung, beginnend mit Keśava—wobei jeder Name/jede Gestalt der Reihe nach in einer dreifachen Abfolge geordnet ist—ist dies der Dvādaśākṣara-Hymnus, der die vierundzwanzig Formen (Viṣṇus) verkörpert. Wer ihn rezitiert oder auch nur hört, wird gereinigt und erlangt alle gewünschten Früchte.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s ritual/mantra instructions to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Nāma-japa and recitation of the Dvādaśākṣara-linked stotra structured through Keśava etc., used for purification and attainment of desired results; also for teaching the 24 forms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvādaśākṣara stotra and caturviṃśati-mūrti recitation-phala","lookup_keywords":["Keśava","dvādaśākṣara","caturviṃśati-mūrti","pāṭha-śravaṇa-phala","nāma-japa"],"quick_summary":"Gives a structured recitation system beginning with Keśava, presenting a twelve-syllable hymn embodying twenty-four forms; reciting or hearing it purifies and yields comprehensive benefits."}
Alamkara Type: Śāstraic-stuti (phalaśruti style)
Concept: Śravaṇa–kīrtana efficacy: even hearing sacred recitation purifies; structured nāma practice embodies multiple divine forms.
Application: Adopt as daily/ekādaśī recitation; include group śravaṇa for communal purification; use the 24-form mapping for systematic dhyāna through the day.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vaishnava Mantra-Stotra and Nama-japa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee recites a hymn before a shrine displaying twenty-four labeled forms of Viṣṇu arranged in an orderly grid or circular mandala; emphasis on method and purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple interior with a panel of 24 Viṣṇu forms around a central Keśava, priest/devotee chanting with palm-leaf manuscript, oil lamps, bold colors, symmetrical layout.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate shrine with 24 small Viṣṇu icons in niches around a central figure, gold foil highlights, devotee chanting, inscription-like borders suggesting ‘dvādaśākṣara’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional painting showing the 24 forms in neat registers with subtle labels, a seated reciter with japa-mālā, calm palette, emphasis on clarity and order.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-devotee reading from a manuscript before a wall of small framed Viṣṇu images (24), fine architectural detailing, delicate floral margins, subdued gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: केशवादिप्रभेदेन = केशव-आदि-प्रभेदेन; पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि → पठेत् शृणुयात् वा अपि; सर्वमाप्नुयात् → सर्वम् आप्नुयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 48 (Caturviṃśati-mūrti-stotra chapter); Agni Purana 49.1 (chapter transition to avatāras)
FAQs
It teaches the structured use of the Dvādaśākṣara hymn through the Keśava-ādi classification, linking recitation/hearing to the worship framework of Viṣṇu’s twenty-four forms (caturviṃśati-mūrti).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical religious technology—codifying mantra/stotra usage, name-based form classifications, and stated ritual outcomes (phala-śruti) alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse promises purification (nirmalatā) and comprehensive attainment of fruits through either recitation or even attentive listening, emphasizing the merit-generating power of mantra-stotra engagement.