Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 17
Dānādi-māhātmya — The Glory of Gifts, Manuscript-Donation, and Purāṇic Transmission
सहेमगरुडञ्चैत्र्यां पदमाप्नोति वैष्णवम् सर्वविद्यावधारणमिति ञ चतुरशीतिसाहस्रं स्कान्दं स्कन्देरितं महत्
sahemagaruḍañcaitryāṃ padamāpnoti vaiṣṇavam sarvavidyāvadhāraṇamiti ña caturaśītisāhasraṃ skāndaṃ skanderitaṃ mahat
In the holy observance called Caitrī, one attains the Vaiṣṇava state, the abode of Viṣṇu, together with the merit symbolized by the golden Garuḍa; and one gains the power to retain and command all branches of knowledge. Thus is proclaimed the great Skanda-Purāṇa, consisting of eighty-four thousand (verses), as spoken by Skanda.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Undertake the Caitrī observance with devotional acts (including symbolic golden Garuḍa gift/merit) and recitation to attain Vaiṣṇava-pada and strengthen vidyā-dhāraṇā (retentive mastery).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Caitrī-vrata phala: Vaiṣṇava-pada, hema-garuḍa, sarva-vidyā-dhāraṇā; Skanda Purāṇa parimāṇa","lookup_keywords":["Caitrī","Vaiṣṇava-pada","hema-garuḍa","sarva-vidyā-dhāraṇā","Skanda Purāṇa 84000"],"quick_summary":"The verse links a Caitrī rite to attaining Viṣṇu’s state, the merit of a golden Garuḍa, and enhanced retention of all vidyās; it also notes Skanda Purāṇa’s great extent (84,000) and Skanda as speaker."}
Concept: Bhakti-supported vrata and dāna are presented as means to transcendental attainment and cognitive refinement (dhāraṇā/retention).
Application: Combine vrata discipline (Caitrī), devotional recitation, and symbolic dāna (Garuḍa/Viṣṇu-associated gifts) to cultivate steadiness of mind and scriptural learning.
Khanda Section: Stotra–Phala-Śruti / Vaiṣṇava-pada-prāpti (Merit of recitation; devotional attainments)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee performs Caitrī vrata, offering a golden Garuḍa icon; a vision of Vaiṣṇava abode appears, while Skanda is shown declaring the greatness and extent of the Skanda Purāṇa to assembled sages.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, devotee before Viṣṇu shrine with Garuḍa-stambha, golden Garuḍa offering highlighted in yellow-gold pigments, celestial Vaikuṇṭha vision above, Skanda teaching sages in a side register.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu enthroned with Garuḍa, heavy gold embossing on Garuḍa and ornaments, devotee presenting hema-garuḍa, inset of Skanda with manuscript bundles marked ‘84000’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean didactic layout: Caitrī observance items (lamp, tulasī, offering), golden Garuḍa icon, and a scholarly scene of Skanda reciting; soft colors and precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, devotional court-like scene with a small golden Garuḍa statue on a tray, visionary Vaikuṇṭha in cloud band, Skanda addressing sages with a scroll noting ‘84000’, intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sahemagaruḍam+caitryām → sahemagaruḍañcaitryām; padam+āpnoti → padamāpnoti; skandena+īritam → skanderitam. The syllable 'ña' appears as a textual/printing artifact; treated as unclear marker.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Vrata-kathā and phala-śruti sections; Agni Purāṇa: Purāṇa-parimāṇa/catalogue lists
FAQs
It promises sarva-vidyā-avadhāraṇa—firm retention/mastery of all disciplines—presented as a fruit of the Caitrī observance and Vaiṣṇava-oriented devotion rather than a single specialized technique.
By explicitly claiming “mastery of all knowledges” as an outcome and by cross-referencing the vast Skanda Purāṇa (84,000 verses), it positions Purāṇic literature as a comprehensive repository that spans many vidyās and traditions.
The stated karmic fruit is attainment of the Vaiṣṇava abode/state (padam vaiṣṇavam), with auspicious merit symbolized by Garuḍa—indicating liberation-oriented devotion and elevated post-mortem destiny through prescribed observance.