Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
स श्लाघ्यः स गुणी धन्यः स कुलीनः स बुद्धिमान् स शूरः स च विक्रान्तो यस्त्वया देवि वीक्षितः
sa ślāghyaḥ sa guṇī dhanyaḥ sa kulīnaḥ sa buddhimān sa śūraḥ sa ca vikrānto yastvayā devi vīkṣitaḥ
ഹേ ദേവി, നീ കൃപാദൃഷ്ടിയാൽ വീക്ഷിച്ചവൻ തന്നെയാണ് പ്രശംസനീയൻ; അവൻ ഗുണവാനും ധന്യനും; അവൻ കുലീനനും ബുദ്ധിമാനും; അവൻ ശൂരനും പരാക്രമശാലിയും ആകുന്നു।
Lord Agni (narrator, instructing a sage in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Applied as a blessing-verse in marriage/approval contexts (nārī-parīkṣā/varaṇa): the Goddess’s favor is framed as the criterion for praiseworthiness, virtue, intelligence, and valor.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lakṣmī-dṛṣṭi as the source of ideal male qualities (vara-lakṣaṇa)","lookup_keywords":["nārī-parīkṣā","vara-lakṣaṇa","ślāghya","kulīna","śūra-vikrānta"],"quick_summary":"A compact list of desirable qualities—virtue, fortune, noble lineage, intelligence, bravery—attributed to the Goddess’s approving glance."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (punarukti of 'sa')
Concept: Social and personal excellences are validated by divine sanction; ideal qualities are framed as fruits of Śrī’s favor.
Application: In rites of marriage/household dharma, recite as an auspicious affirmation that true merit is stabilized by devotion and divine grace.
Khanda Section: Stuti & Nari-pariksha (Praise of virtues; selection/approval in marriage context)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Goddess’s approving glance marks a man as the ideal—virtuous, intelligent, noble, and brave—fit for honor and marriage alliance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Lakṣmī with lotus extends a gentle glance toward a standing hero-like figure; attendants and family elders witness; traditional jewelry, bold outlines, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Lakṣmī with gold halo; the approved man shown with regal posture; symbolic items of virtue and fortune (garland, kalasha) highlighted with gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined courtly interior; Lakṣmī’s gaze indicated by a soft luminous line; the man’s qualities suggested through calm face, upright stance, and subtle warrior accoutrements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: selection scene in a palace courtyard; goddess apparition above or in a niche; the chosen man depicted with dignified attire; fine detailing of textiles and faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyāṇi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yas+tvayā → yaḥ tvayā (visarga sandhi in IAST yastvayā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236.14; Agni Purana 236.16
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys a dharmic-social teaching: the recognized marks of an ideal, worthy man—virtue, auspicious fortune, noble birth, intelligence, bravery, and valor.
Alongside rituals, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves social-ethical norms; this verse exemplifies its coverage of characterology and dharmic evaluation used in family and societal decision-making.
It promotes dharmic discernment—valuing inner virtues and righteous strength—supporting auspicious choices that align household life with dharma and thereby foster merit (puṇya) and social harmony.