Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 12
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
मा पुत्रान्मासुहृद्वर्गान्मा पशून्मा विभूषणं त्यजेथा मम देवस्य विष्णोर्वक्षःस्थलालये
mā putrānmāsuhṛdvargānmā paśūnmā vibhūṣaṇaṃ tyajethā mama devasya viṣṇorvakṣaḥsthalālaye
No abandones a tus hijos; no abandones tu círculo de amigos; no abandones tu ganado; no abandones tus ornamentos—pues yo habito en el pecho de mi Señor, Vishnu, como su morada.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings in a devotional/ritual context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Devotional instruction reinforcing household continuity—do not abandon children, friends, cattle, ornaments—grounded in Śrī/Lakṣmī’s identity as Viṣṇu’s vakṣaḥ-sthala-nivāsinī; supports prosperity-ethics and stable social ties.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śrī as Viṣṇu-vakṣaḥsthala-ālaya (Lakṣmī’s Abode on Viṣṇu’s Chest)","lookup_keywords":["vakṣaḥsthala","śrī/lakṣmī","putra","suhṛd","paśu","vibhūṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse links Lakṣmī’s presence with maintaining family, friendships, cattle-wealth, and ornaments—suggesting that prosperity and auspiciousness abide where these supports are honored and preserved."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (repetition of ‘mā’)
Concept: Auspicious prosperity (śrī) is aligned with sustaining relational and economic supports (family, friends, cattle-wealth) rather than abandonment.
Application: Householder guidance: preserve social bonds and livelihood assets as part of dharmic living under divine auspices.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Stotra and Devotional Instruction (Vaishnava-Lakshmi context)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lakṣmī speaks as the auspicious power dwelling on Viṣṇu’s chest; a devotee household is shown with children, friends, cattle, and ornaments preserved under her blessing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu with Śrīvatsa on the chest and Lakṣmī close to the vakṣaḥsthala, below a pastoral household scene with cows, children, and companions, stylized lotus motifs and warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu seated with Lakṣmī near his chest, heavy gold work on ornaments, foreground showing cows and a family receiving blessings, rich reds and greens with embossed jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear devotional tableau: Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī above, below a neatly arranged household with cattle and ornaments, fine linework and gentle shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant depiction of Viṣṇu with Lakṣmī, and a detailed domestic courtyard with cattle and attendants presenting ornaments, intricate textiles and architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुत्रान्मा = पुत्रान् + मा; मासुहृद्वर्गान् = मा + सुहृत्-वर्गान्; पशून्मा = पशून् + मा; विष्णोर्वक्षःस्थलालये = विष्णोः + वक्षःस्थलालये.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (pūjā-vidhi / stotra instruction in Vaiṣṇava-Śrī context)
FAQs
It functions as a protective, prosperity-oriented devotional instruction: the devotee is told not to renounce core householder supports (family, allies, livestock, wealth/ornaments) while invoking the sanctity of Vishnu’s chest as the divine seat of auspicious presence.
Alongside its many technical subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves practical religious guidance for lay life—integrating bhakti, auspicious symbolism (Vishnu’s vakṣaḥsthala), and norms of household prosperity—showing its breadth beyond purely ritual or scientific topics.
It links worldly stability (family, community, livelihood, wealth) with divine refuge in Vishnu, implying that sustained dharmic household life—anchored in devotion—supports auspicious karma rather than premature or fear-driven abandonment.