Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Chapter 48 — Account of the Hymn to the Twenty-Four Forms
Caturviṁśati-mūrti-stotra-kathana
वरदः पद्मनाभस्तु शङ्खाब्जारिगदाधरः दामोदरः पद्मशङ्खगदाचक्री नमामि तं
varadaḥ padmanābhastu śaṅkhābjārigadādharaḥ dāmodaraḥ padmaśaṅkhagadācakrī namāmi taṃ
Je me prosterne devant Lui : Varada, dispensateur de grâces ; Padmanābha, au nombril de lotus ; porteur de la conque, du lotus, du disque et de la massue ; Dāmodara, paré du lotus, de la conque, de la massue et du disque comme insignes divins.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily Vishnu-smaraṇa and nama-japa in pūjā; recitation for auspiciousness and inner steadiness.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Viṣṇu-nāma-stuti: Varada–Padmanābha–Dāmodara with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma","lookup_keywords":["Varada","Padmanabha","Damodara","shankha chakra gada padma","Vishnu stuti"],"quick_summary":"A compact salutation listing Viṣṇu’s epithets and emblems; used as a remembrance-verse in pūjā to invoke grace and protection."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (soft alliteration) and Nāma-mālā (epithet-chain)
Concept: Īśvara-smaraṇa through nāma and rūpa (emblems) as a direct support for bhakti and steadiness of mind.
Application: Use as a short dhyāna-stotra before/after pūjā, japa, or at transitions (morning/evening).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-stuti and Nama-japa/Smaraṇa)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A standing four-armed Viṣṇu, serene, with lotus-navel symbolism, holding conch, discus, mace, and lotus; devotee in añjali offering namaskāra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep earthy reds and greens, four-armed Viṣṇu (Padmanābha) with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma, lotus emerging at navel motif, ornate jewelry, calm face, devotee at lower corner in añjali, traditional floral borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu with four arms holding conch discus mace lotus, heavy gold foil work on crown and ornaments, rich blue-green garments, halo, lotus pedestal, minimal background, devotional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and delicate shading, Viṣṇu iconographic clarity with labeled emblems (śaṅkha, cakra, gadā, padma), soft pastel background, devotee offering flowers, instructional yet devotional","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined courtly palette, Viṣṇu depicted with four arms and emblems, intricate textiles and jewelry, small-scale devotee bowing, architectural pavilion backdrop, detailed borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पद्मनाभस्तु = पद्मनाभः + तु; शङ्खाब्जारिगदाधरः = शङ्ख-अब्ज-अरि-गदा-धरः; पद्मशङ्खगदाचक्री = पद्म-शङ्ख-गदा-चक्रि (चक्रिन्-प्रातिपदिक)
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Puja-vidhi sections on Viṣṇu-stuti and nāma-japa (same khanda context)
FAQs
It provides a stuti-style formula for Vishnu-smaraṇa (devotional recollection) by invoking standardized epithets and iconographic identifiers (conch, lotus, discus, mace) used in pūjā, dhyāna, and protective recitation.
Alongside ritual instructions, the Agni Purana preserves concise theological and iconographic ‘data’—names, attributes, and emblem sets—supporting temple worship, mantra-based devotion, and visual meditation practices.
Reciting and contemplating Vishnu through these names and emblems is traditionally held to purify the mind, strengthen devotion (bhakti), and confer protection and auspicious merit through remembrance of the Lord as the giver of boons.