Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
भद्रा क्षेम्या क्षेमकरी नैकबाहुर् नमामि ताम् त्रिसन्ध्यं यः पठेन्नाम सर्वान् कामानवाप्नुयात्
bhadrā kṣemyā kṣemakarī naikabāhur namāmi tām trisandhyaṃ yaḥ paṭhennāma sarvān kāmānavāpnuyāt
ข้าขอนอบน้อมแด่นาง—ภัทรา เกษมยา เกษมการี และไนกพาหุ ผู้ใดสาธยายพระนามเหล่านี้ในสามสันธิแห่งวัน ผู้นั้นย่อมบรรลุความปรารถนาทั้งปวง
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective name-recitation (nāma-japa) at tri-sandhyā for welfare (kṣema) and fulfillment of aims; suitable for daily sādhanā and temple liturgy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tri-sandhyā recitation of Devī names for kṣema and kāma-siddhi","lookup_keywords":["Bhadrā","Kṣemyā","Kṣemakarī","Naikabāhu","tri-sandhya recitation"],"quick_summary":"Bow to the Goddess through four epithets and recite them at dawn-noon-dusk; the text promises attainment of desired goals, framing a simple daily protective practice."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (phonetic echo: kṣem- cluster) and Nama-mala (garland of names)
Concept: Regularity (nitya) and time-discipline (sandhyā) empower mantra-stotra practice; devotion expressed as nāma becomes a means to welfare and goal-attainment.
Application: Adopt a brief daily routine: at each sandhyā, recite the four names with pranama and a clear intention (sankalpa).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Stotra-Mantra (Protective Name-Recitation and Devī praise)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee performs tri-sandhyā worship at dawn/noon/dusk, hands folded before a many-armed Goddess icon; the four names appear as a garland-like inscription around the deity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych of three times of day with changing sky colors, devotee in anjali, many-armed Devi with halo, name-garland motif in traditional script-like ornament","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central many-armed Devi with gold halo, devotee kneeling, three small medallions showing dawn/noon/dusk, embossed gold for jewelry and aureole","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: devotee posture, lamp, water vessel, simple altar, many-armed Devi image, soft palette and fine lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard worship scene with three registers for times of day, detailed ritual objects, Devi icon in shrine niche, calligraphic name band"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: naikabāhur = na + eka + bāhuḥ; paṭhennāma = paṭhet + nāma (t/d sandhi); kāmānavāpnuyāt = kāmān + avāpnuyāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana puja-vidhi and stotra-mantra benefit statements (phala-shruti patterns); Agni Purana sandhya-related vrata/niyama discussions (where present)
FAQs
It prescribes trisandhyā nāma-japa—reciting specific Devī epithets at dawn, noon, and dusk—as a practical daily ritual for protection and fulfillment of aims.
Alongside cosmology and dharma, the Agni Purana functions as a ritual handbook; this verse exemplifies its compact, practice-oriented instructions (stotra + timing + promised result) typical of its wide-ranging liturgical material.
As a phalaśruti, it links disciplined daily remembrance of the Devī at the three sandhyās with kṣema (welfare) and kāma-siddhi (attainment of desired goals), implying merit through regular devotion and sanctification of time.