Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 172 — “Expiations beginning with the Secret
Rites)” (Rahasya-ādi-prāyaścitta
परं ब्रह्म परं धाम पवित्रं परमञ्च यत् तस्मिन् प्रकीर्तिते विष्णौ यत् पापं तत् प्रणश्यतु
paraṃ brahma paraṃ dhāma pavitraṃ paramañca yat tasmin prakīrtite viṣṇau yat pāpaṃ tat praṇaśyatu
Il est le Brahman suprême, la demeure la plus haute et le purificateur par excellence. Lorsque ce Viṣṇu est célébré, quel que soit le péché—qu’il soit anéanti.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s instruction to the sages, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Recite as a viṣṇu-stuti for purification before worship, study, or prāyaścitta; reinforces Viṣṇu as Brahman and purifier, anchoring devotion in Vedāntic framing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Viṣṇu as Parabrahman, Parama-dhāma, and Parama-pāvana","lookup_keywords":["paraṃ brahma","paramaṃ dhāma","pavitra","Viṣṇu-stuti","pāpa-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"Defines Viṣṇu in Vedāntic superlatives—Supreme Brahman and highest abode—and states the practical result: praise of Viṣṇu destroys sin."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (superlative exaltation)
Concept: Brahman-identification of Viṣṇu: the supreme reality is personalizable as Viṣṇu, and stuti becomes a purifier by aligning consciousness with that reality.
Application: Use as a daily contemplative refrain: reflect on each epithet (brahman/dhāma/pāvana) and then perform a brief act of ethical resolve (avoidance of pāpa).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Stotra (Vishnu-smriti and purification through praise)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Viṣṇu as cosmic Brahman, seated/standing on a lotus with a vast halo; devotees below recite praise; a dark stain-like cloud labeled ‘pāpa’ dissolves into light upon the utterance of stuti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, monumental Viṣṇu with expansive prabhāmaṇḍala, lotus throne, conch and discus, devotees in lower register chanting, dark impurity motif fading, ornate temple-border design.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, iconic Viṣṇu with heavy gold work, large gold halo signifying parama-dhāma, devotees at base, gold rays dissolving a dark patch representing pāpa, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, symmetrical devotional diagram: three epithets written in cartouches around Viṣṇu (paraṃ brahma/paramaṃ dhāma/pavitraṃ paramam), clean lines, soft palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, celestial court scene with Viṣṇu enthroned, luminous aureole, poets/devotees reciting below, subtle allegory of darkness dispersing, intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परमञ्च = परम् + च; तस्मिन् प्रकीर्तिते विष्णौ: locative frame ‘when/in Viṣṇu (is) chanted/proclaimed’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 172 (stuti-prāyaścitta cluster)
FAQs
It teaches stotra-vidhi in practice: praising (prakīrtana) of Vishnu is presented as a direct purificatory act that destroys pāpa (sin/ritual impurity).
Alongside law, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also systematizes practical devotional tools—stotras and purification doctrines—showing how praise functions as a concise, repeatable spiritual discipline.
It asserts that sincere proclamation of Vishnu—identified with the Supreme Brahman and the highest purifier—burns accumulated demerit, making devotion itself a means of karmic cleansing.