Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
वीतिहोत्रो नयः साध्यो हंसो नारायणो ऽवतु विभुश् चैव प्रभुश् चैव देवश्रेष्ठा जगद्धिताः
vītihotro nayaḥ sādhyo haṃso nārāyaṇo 'vatu vibhuś caiva prabhuś caiva devaśreṣṭhā jagaddhitāḥ
ヴィーティホートラ（Vītihotra）、ナヤ（Naya）、サーディヤ（Sādhya）、ハンサ（Haṃsa）、そしてナーラーヤナ（Nārāyaṇa）が我を守護せんことを。さらにヴィブ（Vibhu）とプラブ（Prabhu）—神々の中の最勝にして世を益する者—もまた護りを授けたまえ。
Lord Agni (narrating a protective hymn/recitation within the Agni Purana’s discourse tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective recitation (raksha) by invoking specific divine epithets for personal and communal well-being.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Protective epithets: Vītihotra–Naya–Sādhya–Haṃsa–Nārāyaṇa","lookup_keywords":["raksha-stotra","Narayana","Hamsa","divine epithets","Agni Purana 219"],"quick_summary":"A compact protective invocation: recite these names as a shield (rakṣā) and as a closing benediction in worship or daily prayer."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (name-chain cadence)
Concept: Nāma-smaraṇa as protective upāya (means) and alignment with the divine order.
Application: Use as japa before travel, illness, sleep, or at the start/end of pūjā for mental steadiness and devotional focus.
Khanda Section: Nama-stotra / Vishnu-Sahasranama-style Eulogy (Protective Divine Epithets)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee in añjali posture recites a chain of Vishnu-epithets; behind, a serene Nārāyaṇa presence with a symbolic haṃsa motif and protective aura.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy palette, Nārāyaṇa as luminous protector with subtle haṃsa emblem, devotee chanting, ornamental borders, sacred calm","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Nārāyaṇa with gold halo and rich jewelry, small kneeling devotee reciting names, embossed gold work emphasizing protective radiance","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, soft colors, text-panel feel with epithets, Nārāyaṇa/haṃsa symbolism, instructional devotional scene","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly devotee reading from a palm-leaf/manuscript, ethereal Vishnu apparition in the sky, fine detailing, subdued spiritual atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नारायणो ऽवतु = नारायणः + अवतु (अः + अ → ओऽ). विभुश्/प्रभुश् = विभुः/प्रभुः (विसर्ग-सन्धि before च). सतत-समुच्चयः: अनेकाः प्रथमा-एकवचन/बहुवचन-शब्दाः स्तुत्यर्थं, क्रिया: अवतु।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 219 (nama-stotra sequence); Agni Purana sections on stotra/japa-vidhi (adjacent chapters)
FAQs
It teaches nāma-smaraṇa (protective recitation of divine epithets), where invoking specific names—Haṃsa, Nārāyaṇa, Vibhu, Prabhu, etc.—is used as a practical spiritual safeguard.
Alongside law, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves liturgical material—stotras and name-lists—showing how devotion and ritualized recitation function as applied religious practice.
Chanting these divine names is presented as a means of śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and puṇya (merit), cultivating protection, steadiness of mind, and alignment with dharma through remembrance of the world-benefiting Lord.