Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 48 — Account of the Hymn to the Twenty-Four Forms
Caturviṁśati-mūrti-stotra-kathana
गदितः श्रीधरः पद्मी चक्रशार्ङ्गी च शङ्ख्यपि हृषीकेशो गदाचक्री पद्मी चक्रशङ्खी च पातु नः
gaditaḥ śrīdharaḥ padmī cakraśārṅgī ca śaṅkhyapi hṛṣīkeśo gadācakrī padmī cakraśaṅkhī ca pātu naḥ
ശ്രീധരൻ—ശ്രീയുത ഗദാധാരി, പദ്മധാരി, ചക്രവും ശാർങ്ഗധനുസ്സും ധരിക്കുന്നവൻ, ശംഖധാരിയും—ഞങ്ങളെ രക്ഷിക്കട്ടെ. ഹൃഷീകേശൻ—ഗദാ-ചക്രധാരി, പദ്മധാരി, ചക്ര-ശംഖധാരി—ഞങ്ങളെയും കാക്കട്ടെ.
Lord Agni (narrating the hymn/recitation to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Recite as communal protection (pātu naḥ) in pūjā or daily prayer; visualize Śrīdhara/Hṛṣīkeśa with cakra, śaṅkha, padma, gadā and Śārṅga bow for safeguarding.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Śrīdhara–Hṛṣīkeśa Rakṣā with Śārṅga and Cakra","lookup_keywords":["Śrīdhara","Hṛṣīkeśa","Śārṅga","pātu naḥ","cakra","śaṅkha"],"quick_summary":"A protective invocation for ‘us’ (community/household), praising Viṣṇu as Śrīdhara and Hṛṣīkeśa with his emblems, explicitly including the Śārṅga bow."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/anuprāsa-like repetition of emblem-terms; prārthanā
Weapon Type: Bow (Śārṅga)
Concept: Collective refuge (naḥ) in the Lord as controller of senses (Hṛṣīkeśa) and bearer of Śrī (Śrīdhara); protection linked to disciplined devotion.
Application: Use as household rakṣā-pāṭha (morning/evening), concluding pūjā with a shared protective prayer for family/community.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-stuti / protective mantra)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Viṣṇu as Śrīdhara/Hṛṣīkeśa stands as protector, holding conch, discus, lotus, mace, with Śārṅga bow emphasized; a group of devotees prays for collective protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu with prominent Śārṅga bow alongside cakra-śaṅkha-padma-gadā, protective stance, family group in añjali, temple lamps and lotus borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, majestic Viṣṇu with gold halo, cakra and śaṅkha shining, Śārṅga bow rendered with gold work, devotees clustered below, ornate arch and rich textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of Śārṅga and other emblems, instructional yet devotional composition, soft colors, group prayer scene labeled ‘pātu naḥ’","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, Viṣṇu as regal protector with bow and emblems, gathered devotees in fine garments, detailed architectural pavilion, delicate floral border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शङ्ख्यपि → śaṅkhī + api. 'naḥ' is genitive plural of asmad, commonly functioning as object/beneficiary with verbs like pātu.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: caturviṃśati-mūrti stotra/rakṣā sequence; earlier mention of śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma as defining emblems
FAQs
It teaches a protective recitation (rakṣā-stuti) using Viṣṇu’s epithets and weapon-symbols (cakra, śaṅkha, gadā, padma, Śārṅga) as a mantra-like invocation for safeguarding the devotee.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and architecture, the Agni Purana also preserves practical liturgical material—short stotras and name-invocations used in worship and protection—showing its coverage of ritual technologies (pūjā, stuti, rakṣā).
Remembering and invoking Viṣṇu through his auspicious names and attributes is presented as purifying and protective, strengthening devotion (bhakti) and warding off fear and obstacles through divine guardianship.