Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-Syllabled
Mantra) — Concluding Colophon (Chapter 304 end
तत्सर्वं कोटिगुणितं मृतो ब्रह्ममयो भवेत् यः पठेत् शृणुयाद्वापि निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्
tatsarvaṃ koṭiguṇitaṃ mṛto brahmamayo bhavet yaḥ paṭhet śṛṇuyādvāpi nirmalaḥ svargamāpnuyāt
Todo ese mérito se multiplica por un koṭi; y tras la muerte, él llega a ser de la naturaleza de Brahman. Quien lo recite o incluso lo escuche, purificándose, alcanza el cielo (svarga).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Phala-śruti used to motivate recitation/hearing: establishes merit-multiplication, purification, heavenly attainment, and brahma-bhāva as promised outcomes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Phala-śruti of Viṣṇu-nāma: koṭi-guṇa puṇya, śuddhi, svarga, brahma-bhāva","lookup_keywords":["phalaśruti","koṭiguṇita","svarga","śuddhi","brahmamaya"],"quick_summary":"The text asserts that the accrued merit becomes multiplied immensely; reciting or even hearing purifies and leads to heaven, culminating after death in brahma-bhāva (identity with Brahman)."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic merit multiplication: koṭi-guṇita)
Concept: Brahma-bhāva as ultimate post-mortem fruition; śuddhi through śravaṇa/pāṭha as a means.
Application: Encourage communal listening (śravaṇa) and personal recitation (pāṭha) as accessible practices; treat hearing as efficacious even for those unable to perform elaborate rites.
Khanda Section: Phala-shruti (Merit of Recitation and Hearing)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A reciter chanting from a manuscript while listeners sit purified; above, a symbolic ascent to svarga and a luminous brahmanic radiance indicating brahma-bhāva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple hall with a paṭhaka reciting, audience in attentive śravaṇa; upper register shows svarga with devas and a final abstract golden-white radiance for Brahman, stylized figures and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central scene of recitation with gold halo around the text/reciter; upper panel with svarga imagery and a radiant Brahman aura, heavy gold embossing and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative sequence—hearing, purification (white aura), ascent to svarga—ending in a simplified luminous Brahman symbol, fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate mehfil-like listening circle with manuscripts; above, delicate celestial scene of svarga; final abstract light motif for brahma-bhāva, intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्सर्वं = तत् + सर्वम् (t+s→ts). शृणुयाद्वापि = शृणुयात् + वा + अपि (t+v→dv). स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् = स्वर्गम् + आप्नुयात् (m+a).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 304 (closing phala-śruti for the Viṣṇu-nāma chapter)
FAQs
It teaches the phala-shruti principle: recitation (pāṭha) or even hearing (śravaṇa) of the prescribed text yields amplified merit and purification.
By concluding instructions with a phala-shruti, it standardizes how diverse teachings—ritual, doctrine, and practice—are integrated as actionable sādhanā through reading and listening.
It asserts extraordinary multiplication of merit, post-mortem elevation toward Brahman-nature, and attainment of heaven through the purifying power of recitation or hearing.