Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Kapilādipūjāvidhāna — Procedure for Worship Beginning with Kapilā
गावो ममाग्रतो नित्यं गावः पृष्ठत एव च गावो मे हृदये चापि गवां मध्ये वसाम्यहं
gāvo mamāgrato nityaṃ gāvaḥ pṛṣṭhata eva ca gāvo me hṛdaye cāpi gavāṃ madhye vasāmyahaṃ
โคทั้งหลายอยู่เบื้องหน้าข้าพเจ้าเป็นนิตย์; โคทั้งหลายอยู่เบื้องหลังข้าพเจ้าด้วย โคทั้งหลายสถิตในดวงใจของข้าพเจ้า และข้าพเจ้าพำนักอยู่ท่ามกลางโคทั้งหลาย
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Agni Purana’s instructions to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Daily protective remembrance (smaraṇa) and reverential orientation toward cows to cultivate ahiṃsā, gratitude, and a sense of being safeguarded within go-saṅgha.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Go-saṃrakṣaṇa-smaraṇa (Cows before/behind/within)","lookup_keywords":["go-sevā","gāvaḥ","rakṣā","smaraṇa","ahiṃsā"],"quick_summary":"A protective devotional utterance placing cows in one’s front, back, and heart, expressing continual refuge in and around the cow-community."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (punarukti/anuvṛtti of 'gāvaḥ')
Concept: Go-māhātmya and the ethic of sheltering life; inner placement of the sacred (hṛdaya-sthāpanā).
Application: Use as a daily recitation during go-sevā or before entering a cowshed to reinforce non-violence and mindful care.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Go-seva (Cow-veneration and protective recitations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee stands calmly amid a circle of cows, with cows depicted in front and behind, and a subtle heart-lotus motif indicating cows ‘in the heart’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, devotee in white dhoti with añjali mudrā, sacred cows encircling him, stylized heart-lotus on chest, pastoral grove background, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf halos on cows and devotee, rich red-green palette, embossed ornaments, devotee centered with cows in symmetrical arrangement, temple lamp accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional devotional scene of go-sevā, cows placed foreground and background, subtle heart symbol, minimal landscape","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pastoral courtly realism, multiple cows arranged front/back, devotee in simple attire, fine foliage and textured ground, calligraphic cartouche for the mantra"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mamāgrataḥ → mama + agrataḥ; cāpi → ca + api; vasāmyahaṃ → vasāmi + aham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 77 (Pūjā-vidhi / go-sevā context)
FAQs
It functions as a protective and auspicious go-smaraṇa (cow-remembrance) utterance: mentally placing cows before, behind, and within one’s heart as a ritualized visualization for sanctity and well-being.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharmic observances—short recitations, vows, and purity-oriented practices—showing how everyday ritual life (go-veneration and protection) is codified as applied religious knowledge.
It expresses continual refuge in and reverence for cows (a dharmic symbol of sustenance and purity), cultivating protective merit (puṇya) and a mind oriented toward non-harm, sanctity, and auspiciousness.