Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 2
Chapter 172 — “Expiations beginning with the Secret
Rites)” (Rahasya-ādi-prāyaścitta
विष्णवे विष्णवे नित्यं विष्णवे विष्णवे नमः नमामि विष्णुं चित्तस्थमहङ्कारगतिं हरिं
viṣṇave viṣṇave nityaṃ viṣṇave viṣṇave namaḥ namāmi viṣṇuṃ cittasthamahaṅkāragatiṃ hariṃ
ແດ່ພຣະວິສນຸ, ແດ່ພຣະວິສນຸ—ເປັນນິດ; ແດ່ພຣະວິສນຸ, ແດ່ພຣະວິສນຸ ຂໍນົບນ້ອມ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້ານົບນ້ອມພຣະວິສນຸ—ຮະຣິ—ຜູ້ສະຖິດໃນຈິດ ແລະເປັນແນວທາງ (ພື້ນຖານ) ຂອງອະຫັງກາຣະ.
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Daily Viṣṇu-nāma-japa and bowing as a mind-centered practice to dissolve ego-fixation and anchor devotion in inner presence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Viṣṇu-stuti for nitya-japa (mind-indwelling Hari; ego-ground)","lookup_keywords":["Vishnave namah","nitya japa","Vishnu stuti","Hari","ahamkara"],"quick_summary":"Repeat salutations to Viṣṇu daily and bow to Hari who abides in the mind; the formula frames Viṣṇu as the inner support and transformer of ego-sense."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (repetition)
Concept: Antaryāmin doctrine: the divine abides in consciousness; ego’s ‘gati’ (movement/ground) is ultimately rooted in Hari, enabling ego-transcendence through remembrance.
Application: Use repetitive nāma-japa as attentional training: bring the mantra into the mind (citta), observe ego-movements, and re-anchor them in devotion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-stuti / Nama-japa)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee repeating ‘Viṣṇave’ salutations on beads, with Viṣṇu envisioned within the heart/mind; the ego-sense depicted as a small shadow dissolving into Hari’s inner radiance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu with serene face appearing within a stylized heart-lotus at the devotee’s chest, devotee seated in japa posture, repeated ‘Viṣṇave’ as decorative script bands, deep blues and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu with gold halo and ornate jewelry, smaller devotee below with japa-mālā, gilded heart-lotus motif indicating citta-stha Hari, rich temple-arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean devotional-instructional scene: devotee counting beads, subtle transparent overlay of Viṣṇu in the heart region, calligraphic repetition of the mantra along the border.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with devotee in meditation, delicate cloud-form showing Viṣṇu within the mind, fine calligraphy of ‘Vishnave’ repeated, soft palette and precise detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cittastham ahaṅkāragatim → cittasthamahaṅkāragatim (m + a sandhi). Repeated viṣṇave is stylistic.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 172-173 (stuti as part of prāyaścitta; Viṣṇu-centered expiatory praise)
FAQs
It teaches Viṣṇu-nāma-japa and stuti as a practical devotional discipline—constant repetition of homage to Viṣṇu, coupled with inward contemplation of Hari as present in the mind.
Alongside its many technical subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves concise liturgical material—mantras, praises, and worship-forms—showing how daily practice (japa/stuti) integrates with broader dharma and purification teachings.
Constant salutation to Hari is presented as purifying: it centers the mind, loosens ego-identification (ahaṅkāra), and invokes Viṣṇu as the remover of sin and inner affliction.