Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 48 — Account of the Hymn to the Twenty-Four Forms
Caturviṁśati-mūrti-stotra-kathana
देवो नृसिंहश् चक्राब्जगदाशङ्खी नमामि तम् अच्युतः श्रीगदी पद्मी चक्री शङ्खी च पातु वः
devo nṛsiṃhaś cakrābjagadāśaṅkhī namāmi tam acyutaḥ śrīgadī padmī cakrī śaṅkhī ca pātu vaḥ
Je me prosterne devant le divin Narasiṃha, porteur du disque, du lotus, de la massue et de la conque. Que Acyuta (Viṣṇu)—porteur de la massue propice, du lotus, du disque et de la conque—vous protège.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective invocation combining Narasiṃha-vandana with Acyuta-rakṣā; used for fear-removal, safeguarding, and concluding protection in pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Narasiṃha and Acyuta protective salutation with four emblems","lookup_keywords":["Narasimha","Acyuta","raksha","chakra gada shankha padma","Vishnu stuti"],"quick_summary":"Salutes Narasiṃha as the divine protector and invokes Acyuta to guard the reciter; emphasizes the four emblems as signs of invincible protection."}
Alamkara Type: Stuti with epithet pairing (devāḥ… namāmi; …pātu vaḥ)
Concept: Abhaya through īśvara-śaraṇāgati: Narasiṃha as fear-destroying protector; Acyuta as unfailing refuge.
Application: Recite in moments of fear/uncertainty, at night, or as a protective close to pūjā; pair with visualization of a protective aura from cakra and śaṅkha.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu/Narasimha-stuti and protective invocation)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine Narasiṃha, lion-faced yet composed, holding conch, discus, mace, and lotus; beside/behind him Acyuta-Viṣṇu similarly armed, both extending protection toward the devotee.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Narasiṃha with lion face and calm posture, four arms with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma, radiant aura, Acyuta-Viṣṇu nearby as complementary protector, deep traditional colors, temple mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Narasiṃha central with gold foil halo and ornate crown, four emblems clearly shown, Acyuta as secondary figure, rich reds and blues, heavy jewelry, devotional composition emphasizing protection","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise iconographic rendering of Narasiṃha’s face and four āyudhas, gentle shading to keep him saumya-protective, Acyuta in the background, clear didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, Narasiṃha and Viṣṇu in a palace-garden setting, fine detailing of weapons and lotus, subdued yet regal palette, small devotee figure receiving protection"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नृसिंहश् = नृसिंहः + (अघोषे) श् (विसर्ग-सन्धिः); चक्राब्जगदाशङ्खी = चक्र-अब्ज-गदा-शङ्खी
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Puja-vidhi: protective stotras culminating in Narasiṃha/Acyuta invocations (chapter 48 sequence)
FAQs
It teaches āyudha-smaraṇa—invoking Viṣṇu/Narasiṃha by naming his principal emblems (chakra, padma, gadā, śaṅkha) as a protective rite (pātu).
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical liturgical materials—stotras and protective invocations—showing its coverage of applied devotion and ritual technology.
Remembering and saluting Narasiṃha/Viṣṇu with his auspicious emblems is presented as a safeguard against harm and fear, reinforcing refuge (śaraṇāgati) and purificatory merit through devotional recollection.