Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 43
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
यथा विष्णौ स्मृते सद्यः सङ्क्षयं यान्ति पातकाः सत्येन तेन सकलं दुष्टमस्य प्रशाम्यतु
yathā viṣṇau smṛte sadyaḥ saṅkṣayaṃ yānti pātakāḥ satyena tena sakalaṃ duṣṭamasya praśāmyatu
விஷ்ணுவை நினைத்தவுடனே பாவங்கள் உடனடியாக அழிவதுபோல, அந்தச் சத்தியத்தின் வலிமையால் இவனைப் பீடிக்கும் எல்லாத் தீமையும் முழுமையாகத் தணியட்டும்।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana instruction to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Smaraṇa-based expiation and protection: remembrance of Viṣṇu as immediate pāpa-kṣaya, then applied as satya-śānti to pacify all evil affecting a person/place.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Viṣṇu-Smṛti Pāpa-Kṣaya Satya-Śānti","lookup_keywords":["Viṣṇu smṛti","pātaka kṣaya","satya","praśamana","expiation"],"quick_summary":"Remembering Viṣṇu is asserted to destroy sins instantly; that truth is then invoked to pacify all inauspicious forces—useful in prayāścitta and rakṣā contexts."}
Alamkara Type: Hetu (causal statement) / Arthāntaranyāsa
Concept: Nāma/smaraṇa as prayāścitta (expiation) and inner purification leading to śānti.
Application: Adopt daily Viṣṇu-smaraṇa (or nāma-japa) as a simple expiatory discipline; in ritual, recite before śānti-karman or after lapses in conduct.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Stotra-prayoga (Smriti of Vishnu for expiation)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee closes eyes in Viṣṇu-smaraṇa; dark stains symbolizing sins dissolve into light, and surrounding ominous shapes calm and vanish.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated devotee in meditation, Viṣṇu’s luminous form appearing in the heart-lotus, dark pāpa-smoke dissipating, serene temple interior motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu in a radiant medallion above the devotee, gold rays washing away dark patches, ornate frame and rich textiles, devotional focus.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic scene: devotee in japa posture, thought-bubble/halo with Viṣṇu, sequential fading of dark forms, fine linework and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with a devotee in contemplation, subtle symbolic darkness lifting, delicate illumination around a small Viṣṇu vision, intricate carpet and border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रशाम्यतु: प्र-उपसर्ग + शम् धातु. विष्णौ स्मृते = सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (rakṣā-stotra sequence; satya formulas)
FAQs
It teaches a satyakriyā-style prayer: invoking the acknowledged power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa (remembrance of Viṣṇu) as a truth-formula to pacify present evil/affliction.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical utilities—short, deployable verses used for expiation (pāpa-kṣaya) and protection—showing its coverage of applied ritual and mantra-prayoga.
It asserts that sincere remembrance of Viṣṇu rapidly destroys karmic demerit, and that the “power of truth” (satya) can be invoked to calm harmful influences affecting the devotee.