Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Chapter 172 — “Expiations beginning with the Secret
Rites)” (Rahasya-ādi-prāyaścitta
ध्यातो हरति यत् पापं स्वप्ने दृष्टस्तु भावनात् तमुपेन्द्रमहं विष्णुं प्रणतार्तिहरं हरिं
dhyāto harati yat pāpaṃ svapne dṛṣṭastu bhāvanāt tamupendramahaṃ viṣṇuṃ praṇatārtiharaṃ hariṃ
Esse Senhor que, quando meditado, remove o pecado, e que, quando visto em sonho por contemplação contínua, também concede purificação—esse Upendra, esse Viṣṇu, Hari que afasta a aflição dos que se prostram, eu venero.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Use in worship as a phala-shruti: meditation and sustained bhavana leading to purification; reinforces faith in smarana and dream-vision as signs of inner assimilation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Smarana-phala: papa-harana and svapna-darshana of Vishnu","lookup_keywords":["dhyana-phala","svapna-darshana","papa-harana","Upendra","pranata-artihara"],"quick_summary":"States the fruits of meditation: sin is removed by dhyana, and sustained contemplation may yield auspicious dream-vision. Practical takeaway: maintain steady bhavana; interpret uplifting dream-vision as encouragement toward purity and surrender."}
Alamkara Type: Phala-shruti; Epithets (Upendra, Vishnu, Hari) as nama-traya
Concept: Dhyana and sustained bhavana purify; the Lord responds as pranata-artihara (remover of distress for the surrendered).
Application: Before sleep, do brief Vishnu-dhyana and nama-japa; keep conduct pure; if a serene Vishnu dream occurs, renew vows and continue practice without pride.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-stuti and Smarana-phala)
Primary Rasa: Bhakti
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee meditating on Vishnu; a second layer shows a dream scene where Vishnu appears, dispelling darkness; the Lord as compassionate refuge for the bowed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: two-register composition—upper: dream-vision of Vishnu on a lotus with shankha-chakra, glowing; lower: devotee asleep on a mat with japa-mala nearby; warm lamp-lit temple ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vishnu in dream framed by gold leaf prabhavali; devotee below in meditation; rich textiles, ornate jewelry, and luminous halo emphasizing papa-harana grace.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle narrative—meditating devotee, then a soft cloud vignette of dream-Vishnu; fine facial expressions, pastel tones, clear instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: night chamber scene with sleeping devotee; above, a delicate cloud cartouche containing Vishnu’s apparition; intricate bedding patterns and subtle moonlight."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दृष्टः+तु→दृष्टस्तु; तम्+उपेन्द्रम्+अहम्→तमुपेन्द्रमहं
Related Themes: Agni Purana 172.5 (papa-nasha by contemplation); Agni Purana stotra-mantra sections on Vishnu-nama and dhyana
FAQs
It teaches Viṣṇu-smaraṇa as a practical sādhanā: meditation and sustained bhāvanā are presented as means that destroy pāpa, even extending to purificatory dream-visions arising from contemplation.
Alongside its many technical subjects, the Agni Purana also codifies concise bhakti-ritual principles—here, a compact doctrine of meditation’s results (phala), integrating theology (Viṣṇu/Hari/Upendra) with applied spiritual practice (dhyāna, bhāvanā, smṛti).
The verse asserts that remembering Viṣṇu has expiatory power: dhyāna removes karmic demerit, and heartfelt surrender (praṇati) brings relief from distress through Hari’s grace.