Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-Syllabled
Mantra) — Concluding Colophon (Chapter 304 end
तत्सर्वं कोटिगुणितं मृतो ब्रह्ममयो भवेत् यः पठेत् शृणुयाद्वापि निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्
tatsarvaṃ koṭiguṇitaṃ mṛto brahmamayo bhavet yaḥ paṭhet śṛṇuyādvāpi nirmalaḥ svargamāpnuyāt
Todo esse mérito é multiplicado por um koṭi; e, após a morte, ele torna-se da natureza de Brahman. Quem o recitar, ou mesmo o ouvir, purifica-se e alcança o céu (svarga).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Phala-śruti used to motivate recitation/hearing: establishes merit-multiplication, purification, heavenly attainment, and brahma-bhāva as promised outcomes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Phala-śruti of Viṣṇu-nāma: koṭi-guṇa puṇya, śuddhi, svarga, brahma-bhāva","lookup_keywords":["phalaśruti","koṭiguṇita","svarga","śuddhi","brahmamaya"],"quick_summary":"The text asserts that the accrued merit becomes multiplied immensely; reciting or even hearing purifies and leads to heaven, culminating after death in brahma-bhāva (identity with Brahman)."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic merit multiplication: koṭi-guṇita)
Concept: Brahma-bhāva as ultimate post-mortem fruition; śuddhi through śravaṇa/pāṭha as a means.
Application: Encourage communal listening (śravaṇa) and personal recitation (pāṭha) as accessible practices; treat hearing as efficacious even for those unable to perform elaborate rites.
Khanda Section: Phala-shruti (Merit of Recitation and Hearing)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A reciter chanting from a manuscript while listeners sit purified; above, a symbolic ascent to svarga and a luminous brahmanic radiance indicating brahma-bhāva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple hall with a paṭhaka reciting, audience in attentive śravaṇa; upper register shows svarga with devas and a final abstract golden-white radiance for Brahman, stylized figures and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central scene of recitation with gold halo around the text/reciter; upper panel with svarga imagery and a radiant Brahman aura, heavy gold embossing and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative sequence—hearing, purification (white aura), ascent to svarga—ending in a simplified luminous Brahman symbol, fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate mehfil-like listening circle with manuscripts; above, delicate celestial scene of svarga; final abstract light motif for brahma-bhāva, intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्सर्वं = तत् + सर्वम् (t+s→ts). शृणुयाद्वापि = शृणुयात् + वा + अपि (t+v→dv). स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् = स्वर्गम् + आप्नुयात् (m+a).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 304 (closing phala-śruti for the Viṣṇu-nāma chapter)
FAQs
It teaches the phala-shruti principle: recitation (pāṭha) or even hearing (śravaṇa) of the prescribed text yields amplified merit and purification.
By concluding instructions with a phala-shruti, it standardizes how diverse teachings—ritual, doctrine, and practice—are integrated as actionable sādhanā through reading and listening.
It asserts extraordinary multiplication of merit, post-mortem elevation toward Brahman-nature, and attainment of heaven through the purifying power of recitation or hearing.