Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 21
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
विष्णुरुद्रार्कदेव्यादेर्गृहकर्ता स कीर्तिभाक् किं तस्य वित्तनिचयैर् मूढस्य परिरक्षितः
viṣṇurudrārkadevyādergṛhakartā sa kīrtibhāk kiṃ tasya vittanicayair mūḍhasya parirakṣitaḥ
Тот, кто воздвигает (строит или содержит) священное жилище для Вишну, Рудры, Сурьи, Богини и им подобных, становится обладателем непреходящей славы. Какая польза в грудах богатства, накопленных и охраняемых ослеплённым человеком?
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for rulers and householders: invest wealth in public religious works (shrines/maintenance) that generate lasting fame and merit rather than hoarding guarded riches.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Kīrti through deva-gṛha-karaṇa; futility of hoarded wealth","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","deva-gṛha","kīrti","vitta-nicaya","mūḍha"],"quick_summary":"Building/maintaining abodes for major deities yields enduring fame; hoarded wealth protected in delusion is portrayed as purposeless, urging dharmic expenditure and patronage."}
Alamkara Type: Arthantaranyasa
Concept: Wealth finds meaning through dharmic deployment (temples, public piety); attachment and hoarding are delusion (moha) that blocks kīrti and higher ends.
Application: Adopt ethical budgeting: allocate surplus to enduring institutions (temples, waterworks, shelters), and reduce fear-based hoarding.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Ethics of kingship and conduct; renunciation of delusion about wealth)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king or wealthy patron funds shrines for Viṣṇu, Śiva, Sūrya, and Devī; in contrast, a guarded treasury symbolizes deluded hoarding, while inscriptions and public acclaim represent kīrti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal patron presenting gifts to multiple sanctums (Vishnu, Shiva, Surya, Devi) in a temple complex, contrasted with a shadowy guarded treasury corner, bold colors and iconic deity panels","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, patron before a multi-deity temple façade with gold-leaf highlights, separate small vignette of locked treasure chest, emphasis on kīrti via inscribed plaques and halos","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic split-scene: left—temple patronage and maintenance; right—hoarded wealth guarded by anxious attendants, fine linework and clear moral contrast","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly patronage scene with architects and priests, detailed temple plans, adjacent scene of treasury with guards, subtle satire of the hoarder’s anxiety"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kambhoji","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुरुद्रार्कदेव्यादेर्गृहकर्ता = विष्णुरुद्रार्कदेव्यादेः + गृहकर्ता; वित्तनिचयैर् = वित्तनिचयैः + (र्-आदेशः) ।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 38 (rājadharma/nīti tone within dāna context); Agni Purana (rājadharma and nīti sections elsewhere)
FAQs
It teaches the dharmic principle that establishing a sacred abode (shrine/temple) for major deities is a meritorious act yielding lasting kīrti (reputation), whereas mere guarded hoarding of wealth has no enduring value.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves Nīti/Rājadharma guidance—social ethics that connect wealth, public works (temple foundations), and reputation—showing its scope beyond purely mythic narration.
The verse frames temple-building as a karma that converts material resources into lasting religious merit and good renown, while depicting attachment to hoarded wealth as moha (delusion) that yields little spiritual fruit.