Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Adhyaya 236 — श्रीस्तोत्रम् (Śrī-stotra) / Hymn to Śrī (Lakṣmī) for Royal Stability and Victory
पुष्कर उवाच एवं स्तुता ददौ श्रीश् च वरमिन्द्राय चेप्सितं सुस्थिरत्वं च राज्यस्य सङ्ग्रामविजयादिकं
puṣkara uvāca evaṃ stutā dadau śrīś ca varamindrāya cepsitaṃ susthiratvaṃ ca rājyasya saṅgrāmavijayādikaṃ
पुष्कर उवाच—एवं स्तुता श्रीश्च इन्द्राय ईप्सितं वरं ददौ; राज्यस्य सुस्थिरत्वं तथा सङ्ग्रामविजयादिकं च।
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Frames rajadharma outcomes: through proper praise and alignment with Śrī, a ruler gains political stability and success in warfare; used as a legitimizing narrative for kingship and as a stotra-phala exemplar.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Stotra-phala for kings: rājyasthiratva and saṅgrāma-vijaya granted to Indra","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","rājyasthiratva","saṅgrāma-vijaya","Indra-vara","stotra-phala"],"quick_summary":"After being praised, the Lord associated with Śrī grants Indra boons: stable sovereignty and victory in battle—linking devotion with governance and military success."}
Concept: Legitimate rule is stabilized by divine favor obtained through stuti; prosperity (śrī) underwrites political order and success in conflict.
Application: For rulers/administrators: integrate worship, ethical governance, and public dharma to ‘stabilize the kingdom’; for devotees: recite as a phala-śruti for steadiness and success in endeavors.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Stotra-phala (Kingship, boons, and the fruits of praise)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Puṣkara narrates: Viṣṇu as Śrīśa grants Indra a boon—stable kingship and victory in battle; a divine court scene of boon-bestowal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Viṣṇu/Śrīśa with Lakṣmī nearby, giving varada to Indra; Indra with crown and vajra motif; celestial attendants; bold outlines, saturated traditional colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Viṣṇu with Lakṣmī, heavy gold halo and ornaments; Indra kneeling receiving boon; gold foil emphasizes regalia and divine aura; symbolic throne and lotus motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative composition—Puṣkara as narrator at side, divine couple enthroned, Indra receiving boon; refined lines and soft colors; instructional labeling feel.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: celestial durbar with ornate pavilion; Viṣṇu as lordly figure granting boon; Indra in jeweled attire; attendants, banners, and a hint of battlefield imagery in background panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbārī Kānaḍā","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śrīḥ+ca → śrīś ca; varam+indrāya → varam indrāya (varamindrāya in IAST); ca+īpsitam → cepsitam; su+sthiratvam → susthiratvaṃ; saṅgrāma+vijaya+ādikam → saṅgrāmavijayādikaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236.14-236.17 (stuti leading to results)
FAQs
It teaches the stotra-phala principle: properly praising the deity results in specific, practical outcomes—political stability (susthiratva of rājya) and success in warfare (saṅgrāma-vijaya).
Alongside theology, it addresses statecraft outcomes—security of sovereignty and military victory—showing how devotion and hymnology are linked to governance and real-world royal aims.
The verse frames sincere praise as merit-generating (puṇya) and efficacious, aligning divine favor with dharmic kingship—stability and victory arise as sanctioned fruits of devotion.