Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
क्षयः स्वयमिति ख , ग , घ , झ च क्षयः शुभमिति छ देवदेवस्येति ट वक्षःस्थलाश्रये इति ख , ग , घ , ञ च स्वस्तोत्रपाठश्रवणकर्तॄणां भुक्तिमुक्तिदं श्रीस्तोत्रं सततं तस्मात् पठेच्च शृणुयान्नरः
kṣayaḥ svayamiti kha , ga , gha , jha ca kṣayaḥ śubhamiti cha devadevasyeti ṭa vakṣaḥsthalāśraye iti kha , ga , gha , ña ca svastotrapāṭhaśravaṇakartṝṇāṃ bhuktimuktidaṃ śrīstotraṃ satataṃ tasmāt paṭhecca śṛṇuyānnaraḥ
Therefore, a man should always recite and also listen to this Śrī-stotra, which grants both worldly enjoyment (bhukti) and liberation (mukti) to those who undertake its recitation and hearing. (Manuscripts preserve variant readings such as “kṣayaḥ svayam…”, “kṣayaḥ śubham…”, “devadevasya…”, and “vakṣaḥsthalāśraye…”.)
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily recitation (pāṭha) and attentive listening (śravaṇa) of the Śrī-stotra as a devotional discipline aimed at both worldly welfare and liberation; also useful as a temple/home pūjā add-on.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Śrī-stotra—phala of recitation and hearing (bhukti-mukti-prada)","lookup_keywords":["Śrī-stotra","bhukti-mukti","stotra-pāṭha","śravaṇa","phalaśruti"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives the phalaśruti: constant recitation and hearing of the Śrī-stotra grants both enjoyment/prosperity and liberation. It also preserves manuscript variants of key pādas for correct liturgical transmission."}
Alamkara Type: Phalaśruti (stuti-prayojana)
Concept: Śravaṇa and pāṭha of stotra as a valid upāya yielding both pravṛtti-phala (bhukti) and nivṛtti-phala (mukti).
Application: Establish a regular vow-like routine: recite with purity of speech and mind; also arrange communal/household listening to multiply merit and stabilize attention.
Khanda Section: Stotra-vidhi (Puja-vidhi / Devotional Hymnology)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Śṛṅgāra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee seated before a small shrine of Śrī (Lakṣmī), reciting from a palm-leaf manuscript while others listen reverently; the atmosphere suggests both prosperity and serenity, with manuscript variant notes implied as marginal glosses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Lakṣmī seated on lotus with attendants, a devotee chanting from palm-leaf, listeners in añjali, warm earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition, sacred lamp glow, minimal depth.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Lakṣmī on lotus with rich gold leaf halo and ornaments, devotee reciting at lower corner holding manuscript, listeners seated, ornate arch frame, jewel-like colors, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, refined linework and soft shading, intimate indoor pūjā scene with manuscript recitation and attentive hearing, subtle gold highlights, calm devotional expressions, clear instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior adapted to devotional setting, detailed textiles and manuscript, small shrine with Lakṣmī icon, group listening circle, fine brushwork, balanced composition, delicate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: paṭhecca = paṭhet + ca; śṛṇuyānnaraḥ = śṛṇuyāt + naraḥ (t/d sandhi with following n).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (Śrī-stotra chapter); Agni Purana 237 (transition to Rāma-ukta-nīti)
FAQs
It teaches stotra-vidhi in practice: the discipline of regular recitation (pāṭha) and attentive hearing (śravaṇa) of the Śrī-stotra as a recognized sādhanā with stated results.
Alongside subjects like polity, medicine, and architecture, the Agni Purāṇa also codifies devotional technologies—hymn-recitation, listening practices, and their phalaśruti—showing its coverage of both ritual method and spiritual outcomes.
The verse frames sustained stotra practice as producing dual fruits: bhukti (auspicious prosperity and lived well-being) and mukti (liberation), indicating both immediate merit and ultimate spiritual release.