Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 22
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
समुद्रपरिवारे त्वं देवि गर्भं समाश्रय नन्दे नन्दय वासिष्ठे वसुभिः प्रजया सह
samudraparivāre tvaṃ devi garbhaṃ samāśraya nande nandaya vāsiṣṭhe vasubhiḥ prajayā saha
اے دیوی! سمندر اور اس کے پریوار سے گھری ہوئی تو گربھ کا سہارا لے کر اس کی حفاظت کر۔ اے نندا! وسوؤں کے ساتھ اور اولاد سمیت واسِشٹھ وंश کو شادمان کر کے برکت عطا فرما۔
Lord Agni (instructional narration within a ritual/protective context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Protective invocation for conception, pregnancy, and lineage continuity; used as garbha-rakṣā (womb-protection) prayer in domestic and temple rites.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Devī Garbha-rakṣā stuti (Ocean-surrounded Goddess; Vasiṣṭha lineage blessing)","lookup_keywords":["garbha-rakṣā","devī-stuti","prājā (progeny)","Vāsiṣṭha","Vasus"],"quick_summary":"Invoke the Goddess to ‘take refuge in and protect the womb’ and to gladden a lineage with the Vasus and progeny—framing fertility as divine guardianship and ancestral continuity."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana (direct address) with evocative imagery
Concept: Garbha and prajā are protected through Devī-anugraha; lineage (gotra/vaṃśa) continuity is treated as a dharmic good supported by worship.
Application: Use devotional discipline to cultivate steadiness and ethical care during family-formation; integrate prayer with responsible conduct and supportive community rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devi-garbha-stuti (Protective invocation for conception and progeny)
Primary Rasa: vātsalya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmic element
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A maternal Goddess encircled by ocean waves and aquatic attendants, extending protection over a symbolic womb/embryo; sages/lineage figures receive blessings of progeny and the Vasus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Devī in serene maternal form, stylized blue-green ocean encircling her, aquatic attendants as parivāra, a glowing womb-symbol protected under her hand, subdued sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Devī with gold halo and ornate crown, ocean rendered as decorative band, blessing gesture over a womb-lotus, Vasus as small attendant deities, heavy gold embossing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, gentle facial expressions, clear narrative: Devī blessing a household/lineage, ocean motif behind, inscription-like clarity for garbha-rakṣā theme","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined ocean border with fish and waves, Devī seated on lotus, blessing a couple/sage family, Vasus depicted as dignified courtiers, delicate detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samudraparivāre → samudra-parivāre; samāśraya is imperative form; vasubhiḥ ... saha: saha governs instrumental.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (devī-garbha stuti within pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
A garbha-rakṣā (womb-protection) and prajā-prārthanā (progeny-invocation) formula: the Goddess is invoked to ‘abide in/protect the womb’ and to bestow joy, continuity of lineage, and offspring.
It exemplifies the Purana’s practical ritual corpus—alongside theology and myth—by preserving applied rites for life-cycle aims (conception, pregnancy protection, lineage prosperity), showing its coverage of domestic-religious practice.
Invoking the Goddess for garbha-rakṣā is framed as seeking divine guardianship over nascent life, aligning household desire for progeny with dharmic worship, and is traditionally held to confer protection, auspiciousness, and merit.