Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 5
Purification Concerning the Unsanctified
Asaṃskṛta) and Related Cases (असंस्कृतादिशौचम्
अक्षयः पुण्डरीकाक्षस्तत्र दत्तं न नश्यति पतनात्रायते यस्मात् तस्मात् पात्रं जनार्दनः
akṣayaḥ puṇḍarīkākṣastatra dattaṃ na naśyati patanātrāyate yasmāt tasmāt pātraṃ janārdanaḥ
पुण्डरीकाक्ष (विष्णु) अक्षय आहेत; तेथे दिलेले दान नष्ट होत नाही. जे पतनापासून तारतात, म्हणून जनार्दनच परम पात्र आहेत।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Direct dāna toward Viṣṇu/Janārdana (or his worship/representatives) as an akṣaya (imperishable) merit-generating act, especially for protection from spiritual fall.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Akṣaya-dāna to Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Janārdana as Pātra)","lookup_keywords":["dāna","pātra","Puṇḍarīkākṣa","Janārdana","akṣaya"],"quick_summary":"Gifts offered to the imperishable Lord are described as non-perishing in merit; Janārdana is declared the supreme recipient because he rescues from downfall."}
Alamkara Type: Nirukti/Arthāpatti-like etymological reasoning (patanāt-trāyate)
Concept: Akṣayatva of merit depends on the supreme pātratā (worthiness) of the recipient; God as rescuer from patana is the highest pātra.
Application: Choose recipients and intentions in charity to maximize ethical and spiritual efficacy; align dāna with devotion and upliftment.
Khanda Section: Dāna-vidhi (Charity, gifts, and worthy recipients)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee offers gifts (flowers, lamps, coins, cloth) to lotus-eyed Viṣṇu/Janārdana; the act is shown as ‘imperishable’ through symbolic unwithering lotuses or an eternal lamp.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal Puṇḍarīkākṣa with large lotus eyes, devotee presenting dāna on a tray, stylized lotuses and conch-disc motifs, calm sacred ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu richly ornamented with gold halo, devotee offering cloth and coins, gold leaf highlighting ‘akṣaya’ abundance, temple arch framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined devotional offering scene with clear depiction of dāna items and ritual etiquette, soft colors, delicate ornamentation","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, donor presenting gifts to a Viṣṇu shrine, intricate textiles and jewelry, symbolic eternal lamp, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुण्डरीकाक्षस्तत्र = पुण्डरीकाक्षः तत्र; पतनात्रायते = पतनात् त्रायते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dāna-vidhi chapters (pātra/apātra); Agni Purana: Viṣṇu-nāma/stotra materials
FAQs
It teaches pātra-nirṇaya in dāna-vidhi: the highest ‘pātra’ (fit recipient) is Janārdana/Viṣṇu, and gifts offered to him are described as akṣaya (imperishable in merit).
By codifying rules of charity—who qualifies as a recipient and what results follow—this chapter adds dharma-śāstra-like practical guidance alongside the Purana’s many other domains (ritual, governance, temple practice, etc.).
Donations directed to Viṣṇu are said to yield non-decaying merit and to protect the donor from patana (spiritual downfall), emphasizing bhakti-linked dāna as a means of karmic safeguarding.