Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
वराहाय नृसिंहाय वामनाय महामुने नमस्कृत्य प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्तत्सिध्यतु मे वचः
varāhāya nṛsiṃhāya vāmanāya mahāmune namaskṛtya pravakṣyāmi yattatsidhyatu me vacaḥ
Tendo-me prostrado diante de Varāha, Narasiṃha e Vāmana, ó grande sábio, passarei a expor; que, por isso, minhas palavras alcancem êxito e realização.
Lord Agni (narrator) addressing the sage Vasiṣṭha (mahāmune)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Maṅgala invocation to specific Viṣṇu-avatāras (Varāha, Narasiṃha, Vāmana) before expounding ritual procedure; used for protection and auspicious commencement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Maṅgala-namaskāra to Varāha, Narasiṃha, Vāmana","lookup_keywords":["Varaha","Narasimha","Vamana","avatara-invocation","vak-siddhi"],"quick_summary":"A triad-invocation to Viṣṇu’s avatāras—Varāha, Narasiṃha, Vāmana—seeking auspiciousness and success of the forthcoming teaching."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama (enumerative listing)
Concept: Divine intervention through avatāras to restore order; remembrance of avatāras as protective and auspicious act.
Application: Begin rites/teachings with avatāra-smaraṇa to cultivate courage (Narasiṃha), stability (Varāha), and humility/measure (Vāmana).
Khanda Section: Avataras / Mangala-acharana (Invocation to Vishnu’s incarnations)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three-panel or triadic depiction: Varāha, Narasiṃha, and Vāmana as invoked guardians while a sage begins teaching; each form distinct, arranged symmetrically as a protective triad.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych: Varāha lifting earth motif, Narasiṃha in fierce protective stance, Vāmana as small brāhmaṇa with umbrella/water-pot, bold colors and ornate borders, sage in añjali below.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: three avatāras with gold halos and embossed ornaments, central Narasiṃha dominant, Varāha and Vāmana flanking, rich gold work and temple arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined triad composition with clear iconographic identifiers, gentle shading, didactic labeling feel, sage beginning recitation at bottom corner.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: elegant courtly page with three divine figures in separate niches, fine detailing of textiles and jewelry, sage with manuscript offering salutations, balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yattatsidhyatu → yat tat sidhyatu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana avatāra sections elsewhere (general); Agni Purana 31 (introductory invocations)
FAQs
This verse gives the mangala-acharana (auspicious invocation): saluting Vishnu’s avataras before instruction, a standard ritual-literary convention to remove obstacles and ensure successful transmission of knowledge.
By establishing the formal discourse opening—invocation, authority, and intent to teach—it frames the Agni Purana’s many subjects (ritual, governance, medicine, warfare, poetics) as a systematically delivered body of instruction.
Offering reverence to the divine before speaking is held to purify intention, avert impediments (vighna), and make the teaching truthful and fruitful—hence “may my words be accomplished.”