Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
क्षयः स्वयमिति ख , ग , घ , झ च क्षयः शुभमिति छ देवदेवस्येति ट वक्षःस्थलाश्रये इति ख , ग , घ , ञ च स्वस्तोत्रपाठश्रवणकर्तॄणां भुक्तिमुक्तिदं श्रीस्तोत्रं सततं तस्मात् पठेच्च शृणुयान्नरः
kṣayaḥ svayamiti kha , ga , gha , jha ca kṣayaḥ śubhamiti cha devadevasyeti ṭa vakṣaḥsthalāśraye iti kha , ga , gha , ña ca svastotrapāṭhaśravaṇakartṝṇāṃ bhuktimuktidaṃ śrīstotraṃ satataṃ tasmāt paṭhecca śṛṇuyānnaraḥ
Поэтому человек должен постоянно читать и также слушать этот «Шри-стотра», дарующий тем, кто совершает его чтение и слушание, и мирские блага (bhukti), и освобождение (mukti). (В рукописях встречаются разночтения: «kṣayaḥ svayam…», «kṣayaḥ śubham…», «devadevasya…» и «vakṣaḥsthalāśraye…».)
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily recitation (pāṭha) and attentive listening (śravaṇa) of the Śrī-stotra as a devotional discipline aimed at both worldly welfare and liberation; also useful as a temple/home pūjā add-on.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Śrī-stotra—phala of recitation and hearing (bhukti-mukti-prada)","lookup_keywords":["Śrī-stotra","bhukti-mukti","stotra-pāṭha","śravaṇa","phalaśruti"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives the phalaśruti: constant recitation and hearing of the Śrī-stotra grants both enjoyment/prosperity and liberation. It also preserves manuscript variants of key pādas for correct liturgical transmission."}
Alamkara Type: Phalaśruti (stuti-prayojana)
Concept: Śravaṇa and pāṭha of stotra as a valid upāya yielding both pravṛtti-phala (bhukti) and nivṛtti-phala (mukti).
Application: Establish a regular vow-like routine: recite with purity of speech and mind; also arrange communal/household listening to multiply merit and stabilize attention.
Khanda Section: Stotra-vidhi (Puja-vidhi / Devotional Hymnology)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Śṛṅgāra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee seated before a small shrine of Śrī (Lakṣmī), reciting from a palm-leaf manuscript while others listen reverently; the atmosphere suggests both prosperity and serenity, with manuscript variant notes implied as marginal glosses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Lakṣmī seated on lotus with attendants, a devotee chanting from palm-leaf, listeners in añjali, warm earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition, sacred lamp glow, minimal depth.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Lakṣmī on lotus with rich gold leaf halo and ornaments, devotee reciting at lower corner holding manuscript, listeners seated, ornate arch frame, jewel-like colors, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, refined linework and soft shading, intimate indoor pūjā scene with manuscript recitation and attentive hearing, subtle gold highlights, calm devotional expressions, clear instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior adapted to devotional setting, detailed textiles and manuscript, small shrine with Lakṣmī icon, group listening circle, fine brushwork, balanced composition, delicate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: paṭhecca = paṭhet + ca; śṛṇuyānnaraḥ = śṛṇuyāt + naraḥ (t/d sandhi with following n).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (Śrī-stotra chapter); Agni Purana 237 (transition to Rāma-ukta-nīti)
FAQs
It teaches stotra-vidhi in practice: the discipline of regular recitation (pāṭha) and attentive hearing (śravaṇa) of the Śrī-stotra as a recognized sādhanā with stated results.
Alongside subjects like polity, medicine, and architecture, the Agni Purāṇa also codifies devotional technologies—hymn-recitation, listening practices, and their phalaśruti—showing its coverage of both ritual method and spiritual outcomes.
The verse frames sustained stotra practice as producing dual fruits: bhukti (auspicious prosperity and lived well-being) and mukti (liberation), indicating both immediate merit and ultimate spiritual release.