Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
यज्ञविद्या महाविद्या गुह्यविद्या च शोभने आत्मविद्या च देवि त्वं विमुक्तिफलदायिनी
yajñavidyā mahāvidyā guhyavidyā ca śobhane ātmavidyā ca devi tvaṃ vimuktiphaladāyinī
ହେ ଶୋଭନେ ଦେବୀ! ତୁମେ ଯଜ୍ଞବିଦ୍ୟା, ମହାବିଦ୍ୟା, ଗୁହ୍ୟବିଦ୍ୟା ଏବଂ ଆତ୍ମବିଦ୍ୟା; ତୁମେ ମୁକ୍ତିଫଳ ଦାତ୍ରୀ।
Lord Agni (narrating the stuti within the Agni Purana’s discourse to the sages, traditionally including Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Devī-upāsanā as a unifying contemplation of all vidyās—using the hymn as a daily recitation to orient study, ritual, and self-inquiry toward mokṣa.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devī as Yajñavidyā–Mahāvidyā–Guhyavidyā–Ātmavidyā (Mokṣa-phala)","lookup_keywords":["yajñavidyā","mahāvidyā","guhyavidyā","ātmavidyā","vimukti-phala"],"quick_summary":"The Goddess is praised as the very principle behind ritual knowledge, higher/secret knowledge, and Self-knowledge. The practical takeaway is to integrate karma (yajña) and jñāna (ātma-vidyā) under Devī-bhakti aimed at liberation."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (repetition) / Nāma-mālā (string of epithets)
Concept: All forms of knowledge—ritual, secret, and Self-knowledge—culminate in liberation when rooted in Devī as consciousness-power (śakti).
Application: Use stotra-japa to align ritual duties with self-inquiry; treat ‘guhya’ as disciplined inner practice rather than mere secrecy.
Khanda Section: Devi-stuti and Vidya-prakarana (Tantric/Mantric Praise of the Goddess as Knowledge)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Devī enthroned as the personification of multiple knowledges—ritual fire and ladle (yajña), a hidden manuscript (guhya), a luminous heart-lotus (ātma-vidyā)—bestowing liberation-light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of Devī as Vidyā-śakti, serene face, large expressive eyes, surrounded by yajña symbols (agni-kuṇḍa, sruk), palm-leaf manuscripts, subtle halo, earthy reds and greens, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Devī seated on lotus, heavy gold halo and ornaments, holding manuscript and rosary, miniature yajña altar at her feet, embossed gold work emphasizing ‘mahāvidyā’, calm śānta mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional devotional painting: Devī labeled with epithets (yajñavidyā, mahāvidyā, guhyavidyā, ātmavidyā) in small callouts, soft shading, delicate lines, scholarly ambience.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: allegorical Devī in a courtly pavilion, scholars and priests around, a small yajña scene, a yogin meditating, fine detailing of manuscripts and ritual implements, luminous but restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: समासरूपाणि: yajñavidyā, mahāvidyā, guhyavidyā, ātmavidyā, vimuktiphaladāyinī।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (Devī-stuti / vidyā-prakaraṇa context)
FAQs
It identifies the Goddess as yajña-vidyā—the operative know-how of sacrifice and ritual procedure—while also affirming her as guhyavidyā, the esoteric mantra-based knowledge that underlies and empowers rites.
By placing multiple domains—ritual science (yajña), higher wisdom (mahāvidyā), esoteric instruction (guhyavidyā), and self-knowledge (ātmavidyā)—under a single theological principle, it reflects the Agni Purana’s breadth in integrating practical rites with philosophical liberation-teachings.
The verse frames devotion and right understanding as culminating in vimukti-phala: ritual and secret teachings are not merely for worldly results but are oriented toward purification and final liberation.