Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 41
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
दिवि भुव्यन्तरीक्षे च पृष्ठतः पार्श्वतोग्रतः रक्षाङ्करोतु भगवान् बहुरूपी जनार्दनः
divi bhuvyantarīkṣe ca pṛṣṭhataḥ pārśvatogrataḥ rakṣāṅkarotu bhagavān bahurūpī janārdanaḥ
स्वर्गात, पृथ्वीवर व अंतरिक्षात; पाठीमागून, बाजूंनी व समोरून—बहुरूपी भगवान् जनार्दन माझे रक्षण करो।
Lord Agni (narrating a protective mantra within the Agni Purana’s ritual instructions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Rakṣā-stotra for multi-directional and multi-loka protection (front/sides/back; heaven/earth/atmosphere) during travel, rites, or daily worship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Janardana Bahurūpī Sarva-Loka Rakṣā","lookup_keywords":["Janardana","bahurūpī","divi-bhuvi-antarikṣe","rakṣā","pṛṣṭhataḥ"],"quick_summary":"Invoke Janārdana as multi-formed protector to cover vertical realms and all approach-vectors (front, sides, back), forming a complete protective envelope."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/Anuprāsa (repetitive cadence in spatial listing)
Concept: Bahurūpatva (the One appearing as many) enabling omnidirectional refuge.
Application: In japa, visualize protective forms in front/behind/sides and above/below; use as mental armor in anxiety, travel, or liminal times.
Khanda Section: Raksha-stotra / Vishnu-protective incantations (Puja-vidhi & Mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Janārdana appears in multiple forms surrounding a devotee—above in the sky, on earth, and in the mid-air—shielding from front, sides, and back.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, multi-formed Viṣṇu manifestations encircling a central devotee, layered sky-earth-antarikṣa bands, stylized clouds and lotuses, protective mudrās, temple mural palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Janārdana with gold aura, smaller emanations around forming a protective mandala, three-tier background (heaven/earth/atmosphere), heavy gold embossing and gemstones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic yet elegant: three horizontal registers labeled dyu/bhū/antarikṣa, Janārdana forms positioned front/side/back around the worshipper, fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, celestial and terrestrial zones rendered with perspective, multiple Viṣṇu figures guarding angles, ornate borders, delicate faces and textiles, subtle luminous effects."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भुव्यन्तरीक्षे = भुवि + अन्तरीक्षे (इ + अ → य). पार्श्वतोग्रतः = पार्श्वतः + अग्रतः (ः + अ → ओऽ/ओ; written as तो). रक्षाङ्करोतु = रक्षाम् + करोतु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (Viṣṇu-rakṣā and stotra-prayoga sequence)
FAQs
It gives a directional protective application (rakṣā-prayoga): invoking Janārdana’s guardianship across the three cosmic zones (heaven–earth–atmosphere) and from all directions (front, sides, behind) as a recitable protection formula.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technology—mantra-prayoga for safeguarding the practitioner—demonstrating its coverage of applied religious procedures in addition to narrative and doctrine.
By entrusting oneself to the many-formed Lord, the practitioner seeks removal of obstacles and hostile influences, cultivating śaraṇāgati (protective reliance) and reinforcing dharmic, sattvic intention during worship or daily recitation.