Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 17
अध्याय १ — यजुर्विधानम्
Agni Purana, Chapter 259: Yajur-vidhāna
कन्यानाम गृहीत्वा तु कन्यलाभकरः परः भयेषु तु जपन्नित्यं भयेभ्यो विप्रमुच्यते
kanyānāma gṛhītvā tu kanyalābhakaraḥ paraḥ bhayeṣu tu japannityaṃ bhayebhyo vipramucyate
కన్యల పేర్లను గ్రహించి (జపించి) చేయడం వధువు-లాభానికి పరమ సాధనం. భయ సమయాల్లో నిత్యం జపించే వాడు త్వరగా భయాల నుండి విముక్తి పొందుతాడు।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Japa of ‘kanyā-nāma’ (names of maidens) as a prayoga for marriage attainment and as a fear-protection repetition during danger.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kanyā-nāma-japa for Kanyā-lābha and Bhaya-nivṛtti","lookup_keywords":["kanyā nāma japa","kanyā-lābha","bhaya-nivṛtti","rakṣā-mantra","marriage prayoga"],"quick_summary":"Reciting the names of maidens is presented as a means to obtain a bride and as a protective japa in fearful situations, said to free one from fear."}
Concept: Nāma-japa as psychological and ritual protection; auspicious naming as a conduit for desired life-stages (gṛhastha).
Application: Use repetitive japa as a stabilizing practice during fear; for marriage aims, pair mantra-sādhana with ethical conduct, family consent, and proper matchmaking.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Japa and Protective Rites (Raksha-Mantra / Stotra-Prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee counts a mālā while softly repeating a list of maiden-names; a second scene shows him in a fearful moment (dark forest/night) continuing japa and becoming fearless.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel narrative: left—seated japa with palm-leaf list of names; right—night scene with looming shapes, devotee calm with mālā, protective aura around him","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure with mālā, gold aura signifying protection, subtle wedding symbols (mangala-kalasha) in background, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of japa posture, mālā counting, written ‘kanyā-nāmāni’ on a scroll, calm domestic setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with a reader reciting names, then an outdoor fear scene; fine facial expressions showing fear dissolving into composure"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कन्यलाभकरः → कन्या-लाभ-करः; जपन्नित्यं → जपन् + नित्यम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 259 (rakṣā-mantra/stotra-prayoga section)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-prayoga: adopting/reciting a set of “kanyā-nāma” (names of maidens) as japa, used both for bride-attainment and for protection—especially to dispel fear during danger.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technologies (prayogas)—here, a targeted japa application for life-situations (marriage concerns and crisis-protection), illustrating its wide, handbook-like scope.
Regular japa is presented as a purificatory and protective discipline: in moments of fear, sustained repetition functions as a dharmic safeguard that loosens the grip of भय (bhaya) and restores steadiness and auspicious outcomes.