Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Chapter 91 — विविधमन्त्रादिकथनम्
Teaching of Various Mantras and Related Matters
स्वयं वीक्ष्येति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः यो देवान्देवलोकं स याति स्वकुलमुद्धरन् वर्षकोटिसहस्रेषु यत् पापं स्मुपार्जितं
svayaṃ vīkṣyeti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ yo devāndevalokaṃ sa yāti svakulamuddharan varṣakoṭisahasreṣu yat pāpaṃ smupārjitaṃ
Wer, nachdem er (den heiligen Text) selbst erblickt hat, aus einem gekennzeichneten/annotierten Buch rezitiert, gelangt in die Welt der Götter; und indem er sein eigenes Geschlecht emporhebt, vernichtet er die Sünde, die über Zehntausende von Krore-Jahren angesammelt wurde.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Phala-śruti encouraging darśana and pāṭha of the text (especially from a marked/annotated manuscript) for merit, heavenly attainment, and lineage uplift.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Phala-śruti of Textual Darśana and Pāṭha (Marked Manuscript Recitation)","lookup_keywords":["phala-śruti","pāṭha","pustaka","devaloka","kula-uddhāra"],"quick_summary":"Seeing and reciting the sacred text—especially via a properly marked manuscript—yields devaloka and purifies ancestral lineage, destroying long-accumulated sin."}
Alamkara Type: Atishayokti (hyperbolic merit statement)
Concept: Śāstra-pāṭha and darśana function as puṇya-generating acts with transgenerational benefit (kula-uddhāra).
Application: Maintain and read from a carefully prepared/marked manuscript; regular recitation and study are framed as a dharmic practice with purificatory results.
Khanda Section: Pāra-vidyā / Phala-śruti (Merit of study, recitation, and sacred reading)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Cosmic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee-scholar seated with a marked manuscript, reading aloud; ancestral figures behind being uplifted; a luminous path leading to devaloka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar with palm-leaf manuscript bearing red/black markers, reciting in a temple library setting, subtle depiction of ancestors rising, celestial devas welcoming, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central reader with manuscript, gold halo around the book, ancestors in smaller registers being purified, devaloka above with devas, ornate borders and gold embellishment","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional manuscript scene: close attention to book markings, reader posture, calm interior, symbolic ladder/light to devaloka, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate study chamber with carpets and inkpot, reader chanting from annotated codex, translucent celestial realm above, ancestors portrayed in side vignette, delicate detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bageshri","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svayaṃ vīkṣyeti → स्वयम् + वीक्ष्य + इति. devāndevalokaṃ → देवान् + देवलोकम्. svakulamuddharan → स्वकुलम् + उद्धरन्. smupārjitaṃ normalized as समुपार्जितम् (सम्+उप+√अर्ज्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 91 (phala-śruti context)
FAQs
It teaches the phala (ritual result) of scriptural darśana (seeing) and pāṭha (recitation), especially from a carefully marked/annotated manuscript, as a meritorious religious practice.
Alongside arts, polity, medicine, and other disciplines, the Agni Purana also systematizes religious praxis by stating measurable outcomes (phala) for acts like reading/reciting texts—showing it as a comprehensive manual of both knowledge and devotional conduct.
It frames sacred reading as a powerful purifier: it grants devaloka and is said to redeem one’s lineage while erasing vast stores of accumulated pāpa (demerit).