Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 12
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
नृसिंहद्वादशाष्टार्णमालामन्त्राद्यघौघनुत् आग्नेयस्य पुराणस्य पठनं श्रवणादिकं
nṛsiṃhadvādaśāṣṭārṇamālāmantrādyaghaughanut āgneyasya purāṇasya paṭhanaṃ śravaṇādikaṃ
नृसिंहाच्या द्वादशाक्षरी व अष्टाक्षरी इत्यादी मंत्रमालेचा जप पापांचा प्रवाह नष्ट करतो; तसेच अग्निपुराणाचे पठण व श्रवणादीही करतात.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Nṛsiṁha-mantra-japa and Purāṇa-pāṭha/śravaṇa as daily/periodic prāyaścitta and bhakti-sādhana for pāpa-kṣaya and protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nṛsiṁha-mantra-mālā and Agni Purāṇa pāṭha-śravaṇa as pāpa-nāśa","lookup_keywords":["Nṛsiṁha dvādaśākṣara","aṣṭākṣara mantra","mantra-mālā","Agni Purāṇa pāṭha","śravaṇa phala"],"quick_summary":"Japa of Nṛsiṁha’s mantra-garland (including 12- and 8-syllabled formulas) and recitation/listening of the Agni Purāṇa are taught as strong means for removing accumulated sin."}
Concept: Śabda-sādhana (mantra) and śāstra-śravaṇa/pāṭha function as purificatory disciplines leading to inner cleansing and dharmic alignment.
Application: Adopt a vrata-like routine: daily japa count, weekly Purāṇa reading, and periodic communal śravaṇa (kathā) as expiation and devotion.
Khanda Section: Phala-shruti (Merit of Mantra-japa and Purana-parayana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee seated before a small altar, counting a mālā while reciting Nṛsiṁha mantras; nearby, a palm-leaf manuscript of the Agni Purāṇa is being read aloud to listeners, suggesting śravaṇa and pāṭha as purifiers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Nṛsiṁha as protective deity in the background aura, foreground bhakta with rudrākṣa/tuḷasī mālā, oil-lamp lit manuscript reading of Agni Purāṇa, earthy reds and ochres, stylized faces, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central small shrine with Nṛsiṁha icon, gold-leaf halo and ornate arch, devotee performing japa with mālā, palm-leaf Agni Purāṇa on a stand, attendants listening, rich jewel tones and embossed gold details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional devotional scene: seated reciter reading Agni Purāṇa to a small assembly, devotee doing mantra-japa, delicate linework, soft shading, minimal background architecture, emphasis on ritual objects (mālā, manuscript, lamp).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly veranda setting with scholars listening to Purāṇa recitation, one ascetic doing japa, detailed textiles and manuscript illumination, fine borders, subdued palette with precise facial features."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अघौघनुत् = अघ + ओघ + नुत् (तत्पुरुष-समास); मन्त्रादि = मन्त्र + आदि; श्रवणादिकम् = श्रवण + आदिकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa mantra-phala sections; Agni Purāṇa phala-śruti passages on pāṭha/śravaṇa; Agni Purāṇa Nṛsiṁha-stuti/mantra materials (where present)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical soteriological method: using Nṛsiṁha mantra-series (notably 12- and 8-syllabled forms) and Purāṇa-parāyaṇa—recitation and listening—as recognized means of purification.
Beyond cataloging many disciplines, the Agni Purāṇa also systematizes religious practice; this verse functions as a phala-śruti that frames study, recitation, and hearing as actionable disciplines within its broader compendium.
It asserts that these practices “remove floods of sin,” indicating strong karmic purification (pāpa-kṣaya) through devotion to Nṛsiṁha and engagement with the Agni Purāṇa via reading and hearing.