Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 172 — “Expiations beginning with the Secret
Rites)” (Rahasya-ādi-prāyaścitta
परं ब्रह्म परं धाम पवित्रं परमञ्च यत् तस्मिन् प्रकीर्तिते विष्णौ यत् पापं तत् प्रणश्यतु
paraṃ brahma paraṃ dhāma pavitraṃ paramañca yat tasmin prakīrtite viṣṇau yat pāpaṃ tat praṇaśyatu
Ele é o Brahman supremo, a morada mais elevada e o purificador por excelência. Quando esse Viṣṇu é louvado, qualquer pecado que haja—que seja destruído.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s instruction to the sages, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Recite as a viṣṇu-stuti for purification before worship, study, or prāyaścitta; reinforces Viṣṇu as Brahman and purifier, anchoring devotion in Vedāntic framing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Viṣṇu as Parabrahman, Parama-dhāma, and Parama-pāvana","lookup_keywords":["paraṃ brahma","paramaṃ dhāma","pavitra","Viṣṇu-stuti","pāpa-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"Defines Viṣṇu in Vedāntic superlatives—Supreme Brahman and highest abode—and states the practical result: praise of Viṣṇu destroys sin."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (superlative exaltation)
Concept: Brahman-identification of Viṣṇu: the supreme reality is personalizable as Viṣṇu, and stuti becomes a purifier by aligning consciousness with that reality.
Application: Use as a daily contemplative refrain: reflect on each epithet (brahman/dhāma/pāvana) and then perform a brief act of ethical resolve (avoidance of pāpa).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Stotra (Vishnu-smriti and purification through praise)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Viṣṇu as cosmic Brahman, seated/standing on a lotus with a vast halo; devotees below recite praise; a dark stain-like cloud labeled ‘pāpa’ dissolves into light upon the utterance of stuti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, monumental Viṣṇu with expansive prabhāmaṇḍala, lotus throne, conch and discus, devotees in lower register chanting, dark impurity motif fading, ornate temple-border design.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, iconic Viṣṇu with heavy gold work, large gold halo signifying parama-dhāma, devotees at base, gold rays dissolving a dark patch representing pāpa, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, symmetrical devotional diagram: three epithets written in cartouches around Viṣṇu (paraṃ brahma/paramaṃ dhāma/pavitraṃ paramam), clean lines, soft palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, celestial court scene with Viṣṇu enthroned, luminous aureole, poets/devotees reciting below, subtle allegory of darkness dispersing, intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परमञ्च = परम् + च; तस्मिन् प्रकीर्तिते विष्णौ: locative frame ‘when/in Viṣṇu (is) chanted/proclaimed’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 172 (stuti-prāyaścitta cluster)
FAQs
It teaches stotra-vidhi in practice: praising (prakīrtana) of Vishnu is presented as a direct purificatory act that destroys pāpa (sin/ritual impurity).
Alongside law, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also systematizes practical devotional tools—stotras and purification doctrines—showing how praise functions as a concise, repeatable spiritual discipline.
It asserts that sincere proclamation of Vishnu—identified with the Supreme Brahman and the highest purifier—burns accumulated demerit, making devotion itself a means of karmic cleansing.