Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
त्वयावलोकिताः सद्यः शीलाद्यैर् अखिलैर् गुणैः कुलैश्वर्यैश् च युज्यन्ते पुरुषा निर्गुणा अपि
tvayāvalokitāḥ sadyaḥ śīlādyair akhilair guṇaiḥ kulaiśvaryaiś ca yujyante puruṣā nirguṇā api
हे देवी, तुझ्या दृष्टीने गुणहीन पुरुषही तत्क्षणी शीलादि सर्व गुणांनी तसेच कुलीनता व ऐश्वर्य-समृद्धीने युक्त होतात।
Lord Agni (narrator) addressing Sage Vasiṣṭha (implied dialogue frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Used in devotional recitation to invoke Śrī/Lakṣmī’s grace for immediate uplift in character (śīla), social standing, and prosperity; also supports faith in darśana-mahātmyam (transformative power of divine sight).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Darśana-mahātmyam of Devī (instant bestowal of guṇa, kula, aiśvarya)","lookup_keywords":["darśana-mahātmyam","śīla-guṇa","kula-aiśvarya","Lakṣmī-kṛpā","phala-śruti"],"quick_summary":"The verse teaches that the Goddess’s glance (avalokana) is transformative: even the unqualified become endowed with conduct, virtues, noble lineage-status, and prosperity."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Guṇa and social flourishing are portrayed as arising from divine grace; darśana is a catalyst for inner and outer auspiciousness.
Application: Cultivate devotion and ethical conduct while seeking the deity’s darśana; employ the verse in daily stotra for śīla and śrī (prosperity).
Khanda Section: Stuti–Prasamsa (Phala-श्रुति / Darśana-mahātmyam: merit of being seen by the virtuous)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lakṣmī/Śrī casts an auspicious glance upon ordinary people; as her gaze falls, their demeanor becomes refined and their surroundings turn prosperous.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Goddess Lakṣmī with lotus, golden aura, large expressive eyes; her sidelong glance blessing a group of humble devotees who transform into well-dressed, serene figures; rich reds, greens, and ochres; temple-like backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: Lakṣmī seated on lotus with heavy gold foil ornaments and prabhāmaṇḍala; devotees below receiving her glance; symbols of prosperity (kalasha, grains) rendered with embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: delicate linework and soft shading; Lakṣmī’s gaze shown as a subtle ray of light touching devotees; before-and-after contrast in posture and attire; minimal background architecture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly scene where a radiant goddess appears; her glance elevates commoners into noble attire; fine textiles, detailed faces, and architectural pavilion; subdued yet luminous palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tvayā+avalokitāḥ → tvayāvalokitāḥ; śīla+ādyaiḥ → śīlādyaiḥ; kula+aiśvaryaiḥ → kulaiśvaryaiḥ; nirguṇāḥ+api → nirguṇā api (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236.15; Agni Purana 236.16; Agni Purana 236.17; Agni Purana 236.18
FAQs
It conveys darśana-mahātmyam: the doctrine that the auspicious sight (avalokana) of a spiritually potent being can immediately confer dharmic qualities and worldly uplift (kula-aiśvarya) even upon the unrefined.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves practical soteriology—how merit and character transformation occur—here presenting a compact doctrine of moral uplift through sacred contact (darśana/saṅga).
It asserts that association with sanctity is karmically catalytic: even the 'nirguṇa' person can rapidly gain śīla and other guṇas, implying purification and improved destiny through reverent encounter.