Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
Ayuta–Lakṣa–Koṭi Fire-offerings (अयुतलक्षकोटिहोमाः) — Graha-yajña Vidhi
पुण्यस्त्वं शङ्ख पुण्यानां मङ्गलानाञ्च मङ्गलं विष्णुना विधृतो नित्यमतः शान्तिं प्रयच्छ मे
puṇyastvaṃ śaṅkha puṇyānāṃ maṅgalānāñca maṅgalaṃ viṣṇunā vidhṛto nityamataḥ śāntiṃ prayaccha me
โอ สังข์! ท่านเป็นความศักดิ์สิทธิ์ยิ่งในหมู่สิ่งศักดิ์สิทธิ์ และเป็นมงคลยิ่งในหมู่มงคลทั้งหลาย; วิษณุทรงถือท่านเป็นนิตย์ ฉะนั้นขอประทานสันติแก่ข้าพเจ้า
Lord Agni (instructing ritual recitation within worship procedures)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Śānti-prārthanā to the śaṅkha (conch) as an auspicious implement of Viṣṇu; recited during pūjā, abhiṣeka, ārati, and before blowing the conch for ritual commencement.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Śaṅkha-stuti: Maṅgala among Maṅgalas (Viṣṇu-dhṛta)","lookup_keywords":["śaṅkha","maṅgala","Viṣṇu-dhṛta","śānti","pūjā-upakaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Praises the conch as supremely auspicious and eternally held by Viṣṇu, then petitions for peace. Practical takeaway: sanctify ritual space and mind by honoring the conch as a maṅgala-upakaraṇa."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic superlative)
Concept: Sacred implements are treated as carriers of divine presence; honoring them supports inner and outer śānti.
Application: Before pūjā, mentally install sanctity in the conch, recite the stuti, and blow it to mark ritual boundaries and focus attention.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Worship, Mantras, and Auspicious Implements)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gleaming conch placed on a pūjā altar with tulasī and lamps; behind it, Viṣṇu is depicted holding the conch, while a devotee prays for peace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu with śaṅkha and cakra, foreground altar with conch on a lotus pedestal, oil lamps, stylized ornaments, deep reds/ochres/greens, iconic symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, large central conch on ornate pedestal with heavy gold leaf, Viṣṇu in the background with gold halo, rich jewel tones, embossed detailing on the altar.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise depiction of pūjā setup: conch, water vessel, flowers, lamp; Viṣṇu icon to the side holding śaṅkha; clean instructional clarity with delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate shrine interior with conch on a tray, devotee in prayer, a painted Viṣṇu image holding the conch, fine textile patterns and soft lighting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुण्यस्त्वम् = पुण्यः + त्वम्; मङ्गलानाञ्च = मङ्गलानाम् + च; नित्यमतः = नित्यम् + अतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi sections listing maṅgala-dravyas and upakaraṇas (śaṅkha, cakra, etc.); Agni Purana Vaiṣṇava stotras and iconography notes
FAQs
It gives a śānti-prārthanā (peace-invocation) addressed to the conch (śaṅkha), an auspicious ritual implement, to be recited for pacification and sanctification in worship.
By preserving practical liturgical material—specific praise-formulas and ritual invocations tied to worship implements (like the conch)—the text functions as a manual alongside its many other subjects.
Praising the śaṅkha as Viṣṇu’s emblem and asking for śānti frames the act as purification and pacification, aimed at removing disturbances and establishing auspiciousness for the rite and the devotee.