Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
पुष्कर उवाच एवं स्तुता ददौ श्रीश् च वरमिन्द्राय चेप्सितं सुस्थिरत्वं च राज्यस्य सङ्ग्रामविजयादिकं
puṣkara uvāca evaṃ stutā dadau śrīś ca varamindrāya cepsitaṃ susthiratvaṃ ca rājyasya saṅgrāmavijayādikaṃ
पुष्कर ने कहा—इस प्रकार स्तुति किए जाने पर श्री (लक्ष्मी) ने इन्द्र को इच्छित वर दिया: उसके राज्य की दृढ़ स्थिरता तथा संग्राम-विजय आदि।
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Frames rajadharma outcomes: through proper praise and alignment with Śrī, a ruler gains political stability and success in warfare; used as a legitimizing narrative for kingship and as a stotra-phala exemplar.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Stotra-phala for kings: rājyasthiratva and saṅgrāma-vijaya granted to Indra","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","rājyasthiratva","saṅgrāma-vijaya","Indra-vara","stotra-phala"],"quick_summary":"After being praised, the Lord associated with Śrī grants Indra boons: stable sovereignty and victory in battle—linking devotion with governance and military success."}
Concept: Legitimate rule is stabilized by divine favor obtained through stuti; prosperity (śrī) underwrites political order and success in conflict.
Application: For rulers/administrators: integrate worship, ethical governance, and public dharma to ‘stabilize the kingdom’; for devotees: recite as a phala-śruti for steadiness and success in endeavors.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Stotra-phala (Kingship, boons, and the fruits of praise)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Puṣkara narrates: Viṣṇu as Śrīśa grants Indra a boon—stable kingship and victory in battle; a divine court scene of boon-bestowal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Viṣṇu/Śrīśa with Lakṣmī nearby, giving varada to Indra; Indra with crown and vajra motif; celestial attendants; bold outlines, saturated traditional colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Viṣṇu with Lakṣmī, heavy gold halo and ornaments; Indra kneeling receiving boon; gold foil emphasizes regalia and divine aura; symbolic throne and lotus motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative composition—Puṣkara as narrator at side, divine couple enthroned, Indra receiving boon; refined lines and soft colors; instructional labeling feel.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: celestial durbar with ornate pavilion; Viṣṇu as lordly figure granting boon; Indra in jeweled attire; attendants, banners, and a hint of battlefield imagery in background panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbārī Kānaḍā","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śrīḥ+ca → śrīś ca; varam+indrāya → varam indrāya (varamindrāya in IAST); ca+īpsitam → cepsitam; su+sthiratvam → susthiratvaṃ; saṅgrāma+vijaya+ādikam → saṅgrāmavijayādikaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236.14-236.17 (stuti leading to results)
FAQs
It teaches the stotra-phala principle: properly praising the deity results in specific, practical outcomes—political stability (susthiratva of rājya) and success in warfare (saṅgrāma-vijaya).
Alongside theology, it addresses statecraft outcomes—security of sovereignty and military victory—showing how devotion and hymnology are linked to governance and real-world royal aims.
The verse frames sincere praise as merit-generating (puṇya) and efficacious, aligning divine favor with dharmic kingship—stability and victory arise as sanctioned fruits of devotion.