Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 44
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
परमात्मा यथा विष्णुर्वेदान्तेषु च गीयते तेन सत्येन सकलं दुष्टमस्य प्रशाम्यतु
paramātmā yathā viṣṇurvedānteṣu ca gīyate tena satyena sakalaṃ duṣṭamasya praśāmyatu
வேதாந்தங்களில் விஷ்ணு பரமாத்மாவெனப் பாடப்படுவதுபோல, அந்தச் சத்தியத்தின் வலிமையால் இவனில் உள்ள எல்லா அசுபமும் முழுமையாகத் தணியட்டும்।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Śānti-karma grounded in Vedānta: affirm Viṣṇu as Paramātman as taught in Vedānta, then apply that truth as a pacifying protective utterance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Vedānta-Śruti: Viṣṇu as Paramātman (Śānti Formula)","lookup_keywords":["Paramātman","Vedānta","Viṣṇu","śānti-karma","satya"],"quick_summary":"The verse links ritual pacification to Vedāntic doctrine: since Viṣṇu is praised as the Supreme Self in Vedānta, that truth is invoked to quell all inauspiciousness."}
Alamkara Type: Śruti-pramāṇa (appeal to authoritative scripture)
Concept: Paramātman doctrine (Vedāntic identification of the Supreme Self with Viṣṇu) as the ground of śānti.
Application: Combine doctrinal contemplation (Paramātman) with ritual utterance; use as a stabilizing affirmation during fear, impurity-anxiety, or before major rites.
Khanda Section: Mantra-prayoga & Shanti-karma (Protective/appeasement rites)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tranquil ritual setting where a reciter chants before a lamp; behind, a symbolic Upaniṣadic scroll and a vast, formless radiance labeled Paramātman associated with Viṣṇu, calming all negativity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene Viṣṇu as an expansive luminous field, subtle Upaniṣad palm-leaf manuscripts near a lamp, priest chanting śānti, muted palette emphasizing calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu with a large gold aura signifying Paramātman, Vedānta manuscripts at the base, śānti-lamp and conch, heavy gold embossing for ‘supreme’ radiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional: reciter, Vedānta text bundle, Viṣṇu/Paramātman radiance above, clean composition showing doctrine-to-ritual linkage, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest reading from manuscripts, lamp-lit chamber, a subtle luminous presence representing Paramātman, refined architectural details and floral borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुर्वेदान्तेषु = विष्णुः + वेदान्तेषु (ः + व → र्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (śānti/rakṣā mantras culminating in Vedānta-based satya)
FAQs
It teaches a śānti-mantra application using satya (truth-force): invoking the Vedāntic proclamation of Viṣṇu as Paramātmā as an efficacious statement to pacify harmful or inauspicious influences affecting a person.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual toolkit (mantra-prayoga and śānti-karma) while simultaneously grounding the rite in Vedāntic theology—showing how the Agni Purāṇa integrates doctrine (Vedānta) with applied religious technology (protective mantras).
The verse frames pacification as arising from satya—aligning speech with ultimate reality (Paramātmā). This is held to neutralize negativity/duṣṭa effects and restore auspiciousness through truth-backed invocation.