Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Chapter 48 — Account of the Hymn to the Twenty-Four Forms
Caturviṁśati-mūrti-stotra-kathana
केशवादिप्रभेदेन ऐकैकस्य त्रिधा क्रमात् द्वादशाक्षरकं स्तोत्रं चतुर्विंशतिमूर्तिमत् यः पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि निर्मलः सर्वमाप्नुयात्
keśavādiprabhedena aikaikasya tridhā kramāt dvādaśākṣarakaṃ stotraṃ caturviṃśatimūrtimat yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyādvāpi nirmalaḥ sarvamāpnuyāt
Par la différenciation commençant avec Keśava—chaque nom/forme étant ordonné successivement selon une triple séquence—voici l’hymne Dvādaśākṣara, qui incarne les vingt-quatre formes (de Viṣṇu). Quiconque le récite, ou même l’entend, est purifié et obtient tous les fruits souhaités.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s ritual/mantra instructions to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Nāma-japa and recitation of the Dvādaśākṣara-linked stotra structured through Keśava etc., used for purification and attainment of desired results; also for teaching the 24 forms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvādaśākṣara stotra and caturviṃśati-mūrti recitation-phala","lookup_keywords":["Keśava","dvādaśākṣara","caturviṃśati-mūrti","pāṭha-śravaṇa-phala","nāma-japa"],"quick_summary":"Gives a structured recitation system beginning with Keśava, presenting a twelve-syllable hymn embodying twenty-four forms; reciting or hearing it purifies and yields comprehensive benefits."}
Alamkara Type: Śāstraic-stuti (phalaśruti style)
Concept: Śravaṇa–kīrtana efficacy: even hearing sacred recitation purifies; structured nāma practice embodies multiple divine forms.
Application: Adopt as daily/ekādaśī recitation; include group śravaṇa for communal purification; use the 24-form mapping for systematic dhyāna through the day.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vaishnava Mantra-Stotra and Nama-japa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee recites a hymn before a shrine displaying twenty-four labeled forms of Viṣṇu arranged in an orderly grid or circular mandala; emphasis on method and purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple interior with a panel of 24 Viṣṇu forms around a central Keśava, priest/devotee chanting with palm-leaf manuscript, oil lamps, bold colors, symmetrical layout.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate shrine with 24 small Viṣṇu icons in niches around a central figure, gold foil highlights, devotee chanting, inscription-like borders suggesting ‘dvādaśākṣara’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional painting showing the 24 forms in neat registers with subtle labels, a seated reciter with japa-mālā, calm palette, emphasis on clarity and order.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-devotee reading from a manuscript before a wall of small framed Viṣṇu images (24), fine architectural detailing, delicate floral margins, subdued gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: केशवादिप्रभेदेन = केशव-आदि-प्रभेदेन; पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि → पठेत् शृणुयात् वा अपि; सर्वमाप्नुयात् → सर्वम् आप्नुयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 48 (Caturviṃśati-mūrti-stotra chapter); Agni Purana 49.1 (chapter transition to avatāras)
FAQs
It teaches the structured use of the Dvādaśākṣara hymn through the Keśava-ādi classification, linking recitation/hearing to the worship framework of Viṣṇu’s twenty-four forms (caturviṃśati-mūrti).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical religious technology—codifying mantra/stotra usage, name-based form classifications, and stated ritual outcomes (phala-śruti) alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse promises purification (nirmalatā) and comprehensive attainment of fruits through either recitation or even attentive listening, emphasizing the merit-generating power of mantra-stotra engagement.