Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 38
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
अतिरात्राप्तयामश् च इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्त्कपाठः रसास् तथा इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः न्यसेदन्ते च इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः न्यसेदष्टौ च इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः क्रमात् स्मृत इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाट्ःअः विष्णुर्मधुहरश् चैव त्रिविक्रमकवामनौ श्रीधरोथ हृषीकेशः पद्मनाभस्तथैव च
atirātrāptayāmaś ca iti kha, cihnitapustkapāṭhaḥ rasās tathā iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ nyasedante ca iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ nyasedaṣṭau ca iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ kramāt smṛta iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭḥaḥ viṣṇurmadhuharaś caiva trivikramakavāmanau śrīdharotha hṛṣīkeśaḥ padmanābhastathaiva ca
“Atirātra-āpta-yāma”—so reads one marked manuscript; “rasāḥ tathā”—so reads one marked manuscript; “nyaset ante ca”—so reads one marked manuscript; “nyased aṣṭau ca”—so reads one marked manuscript; “kramāt smṛta”—so reads one marked manuscript. (Now,) in due order, the names are: Viṣṇu, Madhuhara, Trivikrama, Vāmana, Śrīdhara, Hṛṣīkeśa, and likewise Padmanābha.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana instructions to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Vishnu-nāma nyāsa/japa-aṅga: recite and place specific Viṣṇu epithets in sequence; also demonstrates textual-variant awareness for ritual manuals.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Viṣṇu Nāma Sequence for Nyāsa/Japa (with Manuscript Variants)","lookup_keywords":["Viṣṇu","Madhuhara","Trivikrama","Vāmana","Hṛṣīkeśa"],"quick_summary":"Provides an ordered set of Viṣṇu names for ritual use and notes variant readings across manuscripts, guiding correct recitation/placement in practice."}
Concept: Nāma as upāsanā: ordered divine names function as supports for concentration and sanctification; awareness of pāṭha-bheda safeguards ritual accuracy.
Application: Use the listed names in sequence for japa/nyāsa; when teaching or copying, note manuscript variants and adopt a consistent, lineage-approved reading.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-Nama / Nyasa and Japa Anga)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual setting where a priest/sādhaka recites Viṣṇu’s names in order, performing nyāsa, with a manuscript showing variant readings beside him; Viṣṇu’s emblematic forms appear as faint visions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Viṣṇu central with conch and discus, surrounding small vignettes hinting Trivikrama stride and Vāmana dwarf, priest performing nyāsa, palm-leaf manuscript with marked variants, bold colors and temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: Viṣṇu richly adorned with gold leaf, Padmanābha lotus from navel emphasized in gold, priest at lower corner chanting names, manuscript on a stand, ornate arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: instructional devotional scene—priest pointing to a manuscript with variant lines, sequential name list subtly inscribed, Viṣṇu icon behind, delicate shading and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly scholar-priest comparing two manuscripts (variant readings), reciting before a small Viṣṇu shrine, fine calligraphy panels with the names, detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: This item contains extensive critical-apparatus notes (iti kha/ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ). Sandhi resolved where clear: nyasedante = न्यसेत् अन्ते; nyasedaṣṭau = न्यसेत् अष्टौ; viṣṇurmadhuharaś = विष्णुः मधुहरः; caiva = च एव; śrīdharotha = श्रीधरः अथ; padmanābhastathaiva = पद्मनाभः तथा एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (pūjā-vidhi/nyāsa and japa-aṅga context); Agni Purana Viṣṇu-stuti/nāma materials elsewhere in the text
FAQs
It supplies a sequence of Viṣṇu epithets used for liturgical recitation and/or nyāsa—ritual ‘placement’ of divine names/mantras on parts of the body as an auxiliary limb of worship and japa.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical ritual technology—name-lists, sequencing (krama), and nyāsa usage—while also recording manuscript variant readings, reflecting both ritual instruction and textual transmission.
Reciting and ritually internalizing Viṣṇu’s names (through krama and nyāsa) is treated as purificatory and merit-generating, aligning the practitioner’s body-mind with the deity’s presence for successful worship and japa.