Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 37
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
नाज्ञाभङ्गं करिष्यन्ति भवतां जन्तवः क्वचित् केवलं ते जगत्तातमनन्तं समुपाश्रिताः
nājñābhaṅgaṃ kariṣyanti bhavatāṃ jantavaḥ kvacit kevalaṃ te jagattātamanantaṃ samupāśritāḥ
Ang iyong mga nilalang ay hindi kailanman, sa anumang oras, lalabag sa iyong utos; sapagkat sila’y kumakalinga lamang kay Ananta—ang Ama ng sansinukob.
Lord Agni (narrating in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Bhakti","practical_application":"Cultivate śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in Ananta/Vişṇu as the stabilizing principle for ethical obedience and inner discipline.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Śaraṇāgati to Ananta and non-transgression of divine command","lookup_keywords":["Ananta","śaraṇāgati","ājñā-bhaṅga","jagat-tāta","Vişṇu-bhakti"],"quick_summary":"Those who take exclusive refuge in Ananta naturally refrain from violating divine injunctions. The verse frames devotion as the ground of moral steadiness."}
Alamkara Type: Epithets/guṇavācaka (jagat-tāta, ananta) with devotional assertion
Concept: Exclusive refuge (ananya-śaraṇatā) yields alignment with divine order (ājñā) and prevents transgression.
Application: Use daily remembrance and surrender-prayer to reduce impulsive rule-breaking and stabilize conduct (sadācāra).
Khanda Section: Bhakti and Moksha-Dharma (Devotion, Refuge, and Divine Protection)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Devotees with folded hands take refuge at the feet of Ananta/Vişṇu, depicted as the infinite cosmic support; a sense of universal order surrounds them.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Ananta/Vişṇu as cosmic lord with serene face, devotees in añjali, rich earthy reds and greens, stylized lotus motifs, calm śānta mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Ananta/Vişṇu with ornate crown and halo, gold leaf highlights, devotees below in reverence, inscriptions of 'Ananta' and 'jagat-tāta' suggested","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft palette, Ananta/Vişṇu seated with symbolic infinity motif, devotees shown in orderly rows indicating obedience to divine command","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly composition with a divine figure representing Ananta, delicate detailing, devotees presenting petitions of surrender, subdued contemplative atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नाज्ञाभङ्गम् = na + ājñābhaṅgam; जगत्तातम् = jagat + tātam (त् + त् → त्त); समुपाश्रिताः = sam + upāśritāḥ (उप + आश्रित).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 38 (bhakti/mokṣa-dharma context)
FAQs
It teaches śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): those devoted exclusively to Ananta align their conduct with divine injunction (ājñā), implying ethical discipline as a practical spiritual method.
Alongside rituals, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also systematizes bhakti-theology—here presenting a concise doctrine of refuge and divine governance over beings’ conduct.
Exclusive refuge in the Infinite (Ananta) is presented as a stabilizing spiritual cause that prevents adharmic action (command-breaking), supporting purity of karma through devotion-grounded restraint.