Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 4
Chapter 264 — Dikpālādi-snāna
Bathing rites for the Dikpālas and associated deities
पुष्पार्थिनाञ्च पुष्पाढ्ये पुत्रार्थिनाञ्च सागरे गृहसौभाग्यकामानां सर्वेषां विष्णुसन्निधौ
puṣpārthināñca puṣpāḍhye putrārthināñca sāgare gṛhasaubhāgyakāmānāṃ sarveṣāṃ viṣṇusannidhau
പുഷ്പം ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവർ പുഷ്പസമൃദ്ധമായ സ്ഥലത്തെ ആശ്രയിക്കണം; പുത്രം ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവർ സമുദ്രത്തെ (സ്നാനാർത്ഥം) ആശ്രയിക്കണം; ഗൃഹസൗഭാഗ്യം ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവരും—അഥവാ എല്ലാവരും—വിഷ്ണുസന്നിധിയിൽ ഫലം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for choosing appropriate sacred loci (flower-rich place, sea, Viṣṇu-sannidhi) to fulfill specific desires—framed as tīrtha/pujā-oriented prayoga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kāma-phala and appropriate locus: puṣpa, putra, gṛha-saubhāgya; supremacy of Viṣṇu-sannidhi","lookup_keywords":["viṣṇu-sannidhi","putrārthin","sāgara","gṛha-saubhāgya","tīrtha-phala"],"quick_summary":"Desire-specific resort is taught—flowers from flower-abundant places, sons from the sea—yet all attain fulfillment most surely in the immediate presence of Viṣṇu."}
Concept: Hierarchy of means: specific loci may match specific aims, but devotion and proximity to Viṣṇu is the overarching refuge for all aims.
Application: Direct vows, offerings, and pilgrimages toward Viṣṇu-centered worship while selecting supportive tīrthas aligned with one’s intention.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tirtha-mahatmya / Vishnu-sannidhi-phala)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three aspirants: one in a flower garden gathering blossoms, one at the seashore performing snāna for progeny, and a household couple praying at a Viṣṇu shrine—converging toward Viṣṇu-sannidhi as the central focus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych composition: lush flower grove, blue-green sea with gentle waves, and Viṣṇu shrine with lampstands; calm devotional faces, bold outlines, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu in shrine with gold leaf aureole; side vignettes of flower-offering and sea-bath; rich ornamentation, symmetrical temple framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean narrative panels with subtle shading; instructional depiction of where to go for each desire; Viṣṇu-sannidhi emphasized with clear shrine details","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed garden and coastline, pilgrims in fine garments, small Viṣṇu temple with flags; naturalistic waves and flora, narrative flow toward the shrine"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्पार्थिनाम् + च → पुष्पार्थिनाञ्च; पुत्रार्थिनाम् + च → पुत्रार्थिनाञ्च
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi and tīrtha-māhātmya passages on snāna-dāna-phala; Agni Purana: Vaiṣṇava vrata and Viṣṇu-stuti sections
FAQs
It maps specific desires (flowers, offspring, household prosperity) to appropriate sacred environments and culminates the ritual principle that Viṣṇu-sannidhi (proximity to Viṣṇu via shrine/tīrtha/pujā) is a universal locus for siddhi (fulfillment).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical cataloging of dharmic life—linking aims of life (kāmanā) with ritual geography (tīrtha/shrine contexts) and deity-centered practice, a hallmark of its wide-ranging, handbook-like instruction.
The verse implies that merit and success are amplified by aligning one’s intention with a sanctified setting, and that devotion in Viṣṇu’s presence is especially potent for removing obstacles and granting auspicious household outcomes.