Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 5
Purification Concerning the Unsanctified
Asaṃskṛta) and Related Cases (असंस्कृतादिशौचम्
अक्षयः पुण्डरीकाक्षस्तत्र दत्तं न नश्यति पतनात्रायते यस्मात् तस्मात् पात्रं जनार्दनः
akṣayaḥ puṇḍarīkākṣastatra dattaṃ na naśyati patanātrāyate yasmāt tasmāt pātraṃ janārdanaḥ
Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Viṣṇu) is imperishable; a gift offered there (unto him) does not perish. Because he rescues one from spiritual downfall, therefore Janārdana is the supreme worthy recipient for offerings.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Direct dāna toward Viṣṇu/Janārdana (or his worship/representatives) as an akṣaya (imperishable) merit-generating act, especially for protection from spiritual fall.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Akṣaya-dāna to Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Janārdana as Pātra)","lookup_keywords":["dāna","pātra","Puṇḍarīkākṣa","Janārdana","akṣaya"],"quick_summary":"Gifts offered to the imperishable Lord are described as non-perishing in merit; Janārdana is declared the supreme recipient because he rescues from downfall."}
Alamkara Type: Nirukti/Arthāpatti-like etymological reasoning (patanāt-trāyate)
Concept: Akṣayatva of merit depends on the supreme pātratā (worthiness) of the recipient; God as rescuer from patana is the highest pātra.
Application: Choose recipients and intentions in charity to maximize ethical and spiritual efficacy; align dāna with devotion and upliftment.
Khanda Section: Dāna-vidhi (Charity, gifts, and worthy recipients)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee offers gifts (flowers, lamps, coins, cloth) to lotus-eyed Viṣṇu/Janārdana; the act is shown as ‘imperishable’ through symbolic unwithering lotuses or an eternal lamp.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal Puṇḍarīkākṣa with large lotus eyes, devotee presenting dāna on a tray, stylized lotuses and conch-disc motifs, calm sacred ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu richly ornamented with gold halo, devotee offering cloth and coins, gold leaf highlighting ‘akṣaya’ abundance, temple arch framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined devotional offering scene with clear depiction of dāna items and ritual etiquette, soft colors, delicate ornamentation","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, donor presenting gifts to a Viṣṇu shrine, intricate textiles and jewelry, symbolic eternal lamp, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुण्डरीकाक्षस्तत्र = पुण्डरीकाक्षः तत्र; पतनात्रायते = पतनात् त्रायते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dāna-vidhi chapters (pātra/apātra); Agni Purana: Viṣṇu-nāma/stotra materials
FAQs
It teaches pātra-nirṇaya in dāna-vidhi: the highest ‘pātra’ (fit recipient) is Janārdana/Viṣṇu, and gifts offered to him are described as akṣaya (imperishable in merit).
By codifying rules of charity—who qualifies as a recipient and what results follow—this chapter adds dharma-śāstra-like practical guidance alongside the Purana’s many other domains (ritual, governance, temple practice, etc.).
Donations directed to Viṣṇu are said to yield non-decaying merit and to protect the donor from patana (spiritual downfall), emphasizing bhakti-linked dāna as a means of karmic safeguarding.