Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
कारयित्वा हरेः पुण्यं सम्प्राप्नोत्यधिकं वरं लक्षणाथ सहस्रेण शतेनार्धेन वा हरेः
kārayitvā hareḥ puṇyaṃ samprāpnotyadhikaṃ varaṃ lakṣaṇātha sahasreṇa śatenārdhena vā hareḥ
హరికి సంబంధించిన పుణ్యకర్మను చేయింపజేసినవాడు ఉత్తమ వరమును, అధిక పుణ్యమును పొందుతాడు—హరి పుణ్యం లక్షమో, సహస్రమో, లేదా నూటయాభైయో ప్రమాణంగా చెప్పబడింది।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Commissioning (karayitva) Hari-related puja, dana, or temple-service through qualified priests/artisans to accrue punya and desired boons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Karayitva (commissioned) Hari-karya—graduated merit","lookup_keywords":["karayitva","Hari-dana","punya-phala","adhika-vara","phala-pramana"],"quick_summary":"The verse teaches that sponsoring Hari’s sacred acts yields superior boons and amplified merit, expressed in graded measures (lakh/1000/150) to indicate increasing spiritual return."}
Concept: Punya accrues not only by personal performance but also by causing righteous acts to be performed (karana/karayitva).
Application: Support temples, priests, and public religious works; sponsor rites ethically and with proper procedure.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu/Hari-dana and merit of commissioning sacred acts)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A patron (yajamana) respectfully commissioning priests to perform a Hari-rite, with offerings arranged and a Vishnu emblem present; merit is symbolized by radiant scales or a ledger of punya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: Vishnu/Hari presence as a serene blue figure in the background, priests performing puja before a lamp, patron offering dakshina; warm ochres, bold outlines, sacred aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Vishnu icon with gold halo, patron and priest at the base presenting offerings; ornate arch, heavy gold work highlighting 'phala' radiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional composition showing patron commissioning ritual steps—offerings, priest, mantra scroll—fine lines, soft colors, emphasis on procedure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly patron commissioning a temple rite, detailed textiles and vessels, a small Vishnu standard (garuda-dhvaja) indicating Hari; meticulous architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्प्राप्नोत्यधिकं = सम्प्राप्नोति + अधिकम् (इ + अ → य); शतेनार्धेन = शतेन + अर्धेन (अ + अ → आ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on dana, archana, and phala-shruti; Agni Purana temple/ayatana-related chapters (shilpa/puja context)
FAQs
It teaches the ritual principle of kārayitvā—gaining merit not only by performing a rite oneself but also by commissioning/causing a Vishnu (Hari) rite or pious act to be performed, with quantified grades of merit.
It reflects the Agni Purana’s practical cataloging of religious life—linking ritual patronage, donation, and worship to measurable karmic outcomes—alongside its many other domains (law, polity, medicine, arts).
The verse emphasizes that sponsoring Hari-related pious works yields amplified spiritual reward (adhika-puṇya) and superior boons, reinforcing the Purāṇic ethic of devotion expressed through ritual support and endowment.