Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 4
Chapter 264 — Dikpālādi-snāna
Bathing rites for the Dikpālas and associated deities
पुष्पार्थिनाञ्च पुष्पाढ्ये पुत्रार्थिनाञ्च सागरे गृहसौभाग्यकामानां सर्वेषां विष्णुसन्निधौ
puṣpārthināñca puṣpāḍhye putrārthināñca sāgare gṛhasaubhāgyakāmānāṃ sarveṣāṃ viṣṇusannidhau
Wer Blumen begehrt, soll sich an einen blütenreichen Ort wenden; wer Söhne begehrt, an das Meer; und wer häusliches Gedeihen sucht—ja, alle—findet Erfüllung in der unmittelbaren Gegenwart Viṣṇus.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for choosing appropriate sacred loci (flower-rich place, sea, Viṣṇu-sannidhi) to fulfill specific desires—framed as tīrtha/pujā-oriented prayoga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kāma-phala and appropriate locus: puṣpa, putra, gṛha-saubhāgya; supremacy of Viṣṇu-sannidhi","lookup_keywords":["viṣṇu-sannidhi","putrārthin","sāgara","gṛha-saubhāgya","tīrtha-phala"],"quick_summary":"Desire-specific resort is taught—flowers from flower-abundant places, sons from the sea—yet all attain fulfillment most surely in the immediate presence of Viṣṇu."}
Concept: Hierarchy of means: specific loci may match specific aims, but devotion and proximity to Viṣṇu is the overarching refuge for all aims.
Application: Direct vows, offerings, and pilgrimages toward Viṣṇu-centered worship while selecting supportive tīrthas aligned with one’s intention.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tirtha-mahatmya / Vishnu-sannidhi-phala)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three aspirants: one in a flower garden gathering blossoms, one at the seashore performing snāna for progeny, and a household couple praying at a Viṣṇu shrine—converging toward Viṣṇu-sannidhi as the central focus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych composition: lush flower grove, blue-green sea with gentle waves, and Viṣṇu shrine with lampstands; calm devotional faces, bold outlines, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu in shrine with gold leaf aureole; side vignettes of flower-offering and sea-bath; rich ornamentation, symmetrical temple framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean narrative panels with subtle shading; instructional depiction of where to go for each desire; Viṣṇu-sannidhi emphasized with clear shrine details","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed garden and coastline, pilgrims in fine garments, small Viṣṇu temple with flags; naturalistic waves and flora, narrative flow toward the shrine"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्पार्थिनाम् + च → पुष्पार्थिनाञ्च; पुत्रार्थिनाम् + च → पुत्रार्थिनाञ्च
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi and tīrtha-māhātmya passages on snāna-dāna-phala; Agni Purana: Vaiṣṇava vrata and Viṣṇu-stuti sections
FAQs
It maps specific desires (flowers, offspring, household prosperity) to appropriate sacred environments and culminates the ritual principle that Viṣṇu-sannidhi (proximity to Viṣṇu via shrine/tīrtha/pujā) is a universal locus for siddhi (fulfillment).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical cataloging of dharmic life—linking aims of life (kāmanā) with ritual geography (tīrtha/shrine contexts) and deity-centered practice, a hallmark of its wide-ranging, handbook-like instruction.
The verse implies that merit and success are amplified by aligning one’s intention with a sanctified setting, and that devotion in Viṣṇu’s presence is especially potent for removing obstacles and granting auspicious household outcomes.