Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 41
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
दिवि भुव्यन्तरीक्षे च पृष्ठतः पार्श्वतोग्रतः रक्षाङ्करोतु भगवान् बहुरूपी जनार्दनः
divi bhuvyantarīkṣe ca pṛṣṭhataḥ pārśvatogrataḥ rakṣāṅkarotu bhagavān bahurūpī janārdanaḥ
May the Blessed Lord Janārdana—He who assumes many forms—establish protection for me in heaven, on earth, and in the mid-region (atmosphere): from behind, from the sides, and from the front.
Lord Agni (narrating a protective mantra within the Agni Purana’s ritual instructions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Rakṣā-stotra for multi-directional and multi-loka protection (front/sides/back; heaven/earth/atmosphere) during travel, rites, or daily worship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Janardana Bahurūpī Sarva-Loka Rakṣā","lookup_keywords":["Janardana","bahurūpī","divi-bhuvi-antarikṣe","rakṣā","pṛṣṭhataḥ"],"quick_summary":"Invoke Janārdana as multi-formed protector to cover vertical realms and all approach-vectors (front, sides, back), forming a complete protective envelope."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/Anuprāsa (repetitive cadence in spatial listing)
Concept: Bahurūpatva (the One appearing as many) enabling omnidirectional refuge.
Application: In japa, visualize protective forms in front/behind/sides and above/below; use as mental armor in anxiety, travel, or liminal times.
Khanda Section: Raksha-stotra / Vishnu-protective incantations (Puja-vidhi & Mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Janārdana appears in multiple forms surrounding a devotee—above in the sky, on earth, and in the mid-air—shielding from front, sides, and back.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, multi-formed Viṣṇu manifestations encircling a central devotee, layered sky-earth-antarikṣa bands, stylized clouds and lotuses, protective mudrās, temple mural palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Janārdana with gold aura, smaller emanations around forming a protective mandala, three-tier background (heaven/earth/atmosphere), heavy gold embossing and gemstones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic yet elegant: three horizontal registers labeled dyu/bhū/antarikṣa, Janārdana forms positioned front/side/back around the worshipper, fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, celestial and terrestrial zones rendered with perspective, multiple Viṣṇu figures guarding angles, ornate borders, delicate faces and textiles, subtle luminous effects."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भुव्यन्तरीक्षे = भुवि + अन्तरीक्षे (इ + अ → य). पार्श्वतोग्रतः = पार्श्वतः + अग्रतः (ः + अ → ओऽ/ओ; written as तो). रक्षाङ्करोतु = रक्षाम् + करोतु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (Viṣṇu-rakṣā and stotra-prayoga sequence)
FAQs
It gives a directional protective application (rakṣā-prayoga): invoking Janārdana’s guardianship across the three cosmic zones (heaven–earth–atmosphere) and from all directions (front, sides, behind) as a recitable protection formula.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technology—mantra-prayoga for safeguarding the practitioner—demonstrating its coverage of applied religious procedures in addition to narrative and doctrine.
By entrusting oneself to the many-formed Lord, the practitioner seeks removal of obstacles and hostile influences, cultivating śaraṇāgati (protective reliance) and reinforcing dharmic, sattvic intention during worship or daily recitation.