Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
त्वया देवि परित्यक्तं सकलं भुवनत्रयं विनष्टप्रायमभवत् त्वयेदानीं समेधितं
tvayā devi parityaktaṃ sakalaṃ bhuvanatrayaṃ vinaṣṭaprāyamabhavat tvayedānīṃ samedhitaṃ
おお女神よ、汝が退いたとき、三界はほとんど滅びに瀕した。だが今、汝によって再び栄えさせられた。
A devotee/narrative voice offering praise to Devi (Goddess as the sustaining power)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Cultivating a worldview where prosperity and stability of the ‘three worlds’ depend on sustaining dharma and śakti—used in communal prayers for restoration after crisis.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śakti-withdrawal and Restoration of the Three Worlds (Bhuvana-traya)","lookup_keywords":["bhuvana-traya","parityakta","vināśa","samṛddhi","śakti"],"quick_summary":"When Devī’s sustaining power is withdrawn, the cosmos declines; when she is present, it flourishes. Practically, it frames restoration—personal or societal—as re-establishing alignment with Devī/dharma."}
Alamkara Type: Antithesis (withdrawal vs flourishing)
Concept: The world’s order and prosperity are contingent on the sustaining divine power (śakti) and its expression as dharma; absence of that support leads to near-destruction.
Application: For communities: pair stotra with dharmic action (charity, protection of dependents, truthful governance) as ‘restoration’ practices; for individuals: re-center life through daily worship and ethical discipline.
Khanda Section: Devi-Mahatmya / Shakti-stuti (Goddess-centered praise and cosmological restoration)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuṇa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split-scene: on one side the three worlds dim and wither as Devī’s light recedes; on the other side, her return brings greenery, order, and renewed celestial and earthly activity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative panel: left half shows fading devas, wilting trees, darkened skies; right half shows Devī radiant, devas revived, rivers flowing, lotuses blooming; strong contrasts and temple-story composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Devī central with gold radiance expanding outward; below, three-tier cosmos (heaven, earth, nether) transitioning from dull to vibrant; ornate gold to signify ‘samṛddhi’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean didactic composition—three horizontal bands for the worlds, arrows indicating decline and restoration, Devī’s presence as luminous center; soft colors and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: allegorical landscape with two vignettes—ruin and renewal—Devī appearing in the sky like a benevolent sovereign; intricate flora and architectural detail showing prosperity returning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shivaranjani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vinaṣṭaprāyamabhavat → vinaṣṭa-prāyam + abhavat; tvayedānīm → tvayā + idānīm.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (Śakti-stuti cosmological claims)
FAQs
This verse conveys stuti-vidhi in essence: the doctrinal point that the Goddess is the sustaining power of the cosmos—her withdrawal causes decline and her presence restores prosperity—supporting devotional recitation (stotra) as a means to invoke protection and well-being.
It encapsulates a core Puranic cosmological principle—maintenance and dissolution tied to divine śakti—showing how the Agni Purana integrates theology, cosmology, and practical devotion (praise/recitation) alongside its many other domains.
It frames devotion to Devi as alignment with the force that upholds order and prosperity; praising and remembering her is presented as spiritually protective, supporting stability (śānti) and flourishing (sampad) in one’s life and world.