Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 23

Chapter 65 — सभास्थापनकथनं

Account of Establishing an Assembly-hall

Devanagari script

देशस्वामिपुरस्वामिगृहस्वामिपरिग्रहे मनुष्यधनहस्त्यश्वपशुवृद्धिकरी भव

Transliteration

deśasvāmipurasvāmigṛhasvāmiparigrahe manuṣyadhanahastyaśvapaśuvṛddhikarī bhava

Translation

Dans l’acquisition ou l’affermissement d’une seigneurie sur un territoire, une cité ou une demeure, puisses-tu devenir la cause de l’accroissement des gens, des richesses, des éléphants, des chevaux et du bétail.

Word by Word

• देश-स्वामि-पुर-स्वामि-गृह-स्वामि-परिग्रहे: in the domain/possession of the lord of the land, city, and house
• देश-स्वामि-पुर-स्वामि-गृह-स्वामि-परिग्रहे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वामिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + पुर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वामिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + गृह (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वामिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + परिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7/अधिकरण), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः—‘देशस्वामिनः पुरस्वामिनः गृहस्वामिनः परिग्रहः’ इत्यर्थे (सम्बन्ध-निर्देश)

• मनुष्य-धन-हस्ति-अश्व-पशु-वृद्धि-करी: (you) who cause increase of people, wealth, elephants, horses, and cattle
• मनुष्य-धन-हस्ति-अश्व-पशु-वृद्धि-करी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनुष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + धन (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + अश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पशु (प्रातिपदिक) + वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘मनुष्यधनहस्त्यश्वपशूनां वृद्धिं करोति’ इति; विशेषणम् (त्वम्)

• भव: be
• भव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थे), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; √भू → भव

Speaker

Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Benedictive formula used in governance/property acquisition contexts to invoke prosperity—population growth, wealth, and increase of strategic assets (elephants, horses, cattle).","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Rājya-Gṛha-Parigraha Śrī-Vṛddhi—People, Wealth, Elephants, Horses, Cattle","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","parigraha","dhana","hasti-ashva","pashu-vrddhi"],"quick_summary":"For securing lordship over land/city/household, invoke a blessing that increases manpower and wealth, including key state resources like elephants, horses, and livestock."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rājadharma includes ensuring prosperity and protection through legitimate acquisition/guardianship (parigraha) and the flourishing of subjects and resources.

Application: As a governance maxim: measure success by growth in people and sustainable assets; ritually, recite as a śānti/maṅgala during land grants, city foundations, or household establishment.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, land and property, omens and prosperity rites)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: Kingdom/Territory

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king or householder performing a prosperity rite while symbols of abundance—people, coins/grain, elephants, horses, and cattle—are shown increasing under divine favor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal court with ritual fire, king receiving blessings, elephants and horses in procession, cattle and granaries depicted, bold flat colors and sacred framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, enthroned king with gold embellishments, Lakṣmī-like auspicious aura, elephants and horses flanking, heaps of grain and coins, ornate gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic tableau of ‘state prosperity indicators’—population, treasury, elephants, horses, cattle—arranged clearly, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar scene with accountants and officers, stables with horses, elephant corps, pastoral cattle in background, meticulous realism and patterned textiles."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: समास-समुच्चयः: देशस्वामि+पुरस्वामि+गृहस्वामि+परिग्रह; मनुष्य+धन+हस्ति+अश्व+पशु+वृद्धि+करी.

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 65 (contextual transition into rājadharma/prosperity formulas)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It conveys a prosperity-formula/blessing used in contexts of assuming or securing lordship (territory, city, household), aiming at measurable growth in subjects, wealth, and key royal assets (elephants, horses, livestock).

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Beyond theology, it preserves practical statecraft priorities—population, treasury, and strategic resources (war-elephants and cavalry)—showing the Purana’s coverage of governance and prosperity management alongside ritual and doctrine.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Prosperity is framed as a dharmic outcome of rightful stewardship: the ruler/householder is urged to become an instrument of welfare and increase, implying merit through protection, proper acquisition, and beneficial governance.