Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 66
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्वापि यः पठेत्पाठयेदपि लिखेल्लेखापयेद्वापि युजयेत्कीर्तयेदपि
śṛṇuyācchrāvayedvāpi yaḥ paṭhetpāṭhayedapi likhellekhāpayedvāpi yujayetkīrtayedapi
જે સાંભળે અથવા સાંભળાવે; જે પાઠ કરે અથવા કરાવે; જે લખે અથવા લખાવે; જે આચરણમાં ઉતારે અથવા ઉંચે સ્વરે કીર્તન કરે— તે જણાવેલ પુણ્યફળનો અધિકારી બને છે।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Establish multiple modes of dharma-propagation—listening, teaching, reciting, commissioning copies, and public proclamation—to accrue merit and preserve the Purāṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Puṇya-sādhana through Purāṇa transmission (śravaṇa–pāṭha–lekhana–kīrtana)","lookup_keywords":["shravanam","patha","lekhana","kirtana","purana phala"],"quick_summary":"Merit arises not only from personal recitation but also from enabling others—hearing, teaching, copying, applying, and proclaiming the text. The verse functions as a checklist for dissemination practices."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (repetitive verbal pattern) and Yamaka-like cadence via paired verbs
Concept: Dharma increases through śravaṇa and pravacana; enabling transmission is itself a puṇya-kriyā.
Application: Organize readings, sponsor a reciter, maintain a study circle, commission a manuscript/print, and share teachings responsibly (yujayet) in conduct.
Khanda Section: Phala-śruti (Merit of Recitation, Teaching, and Dissemination of the Text)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequence-like depiction of devotees listening, a paurāṇika reciting, a teacher instructing, scribes copying manuscripts, and a public kīrtana/proclamation of Purāṇic themes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative panel divided into vignettes: temple mandapa listening scene, paurāṇika with palm-leaf, scribe writing, devotees singing, warm earthy tones, rhythmic repetition motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central paurāṇika on vyāsāsana with gold halo-like arch, side panels showing writing and teaching, devotees with lamps, rich gold work emphasizing ‘puṇya’","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional montage: teacher pointing to manuscript, students repeating, scribe with stylus, clean lines and soft colors, emphasis on learning process","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, library-cum-assembly: listeners on carpets, reciter on dais, scribes at low desks, delicate architectural details, calligraphic labels for śravaṇa/pāṭha/lekhana/kīrtana"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शृणुयात्+श्रावयेत्→शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेत्; श्रावयेत्+वा+अपि→श्रावयेद्वापि; पठेत्+पाठयेत्→पठेत्पाठयेत्; लिखेत्+लेखापयेत्→लिखेल्लेखापयेत्; लेखापयेत्+वा+अपि→लेखापयेद्वापि; युजयेत्+कीर्तयेत्→युजयेत्कीर्तयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana phala-śruti passages at the end of major sections; Agni Purana instructions on vrata, dāna, and śrāddha where ‘śravaṇa’ is praised
FAQs
It teaches the authorized modes of transmitting sacred knowledge—hearing, recitation, teaching, writing/copying, practical application, and public proclamation—as valid religious engagements.
By validating multiple channels of knowledge preservation (oral, pedagogical, scribal, and practical), it frames the Purana as a compendium meant to be learned, taught, copied, and applied—supporting its wide-ranging, encyclopedic function.
It asserts that merit accrues not only from personal study but also from enabling others—through teaching, sponsoring recitation, copying manuscripts, and public kīrtana—thus amplifying dharmic fruit through dissemination.