Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 21
Ayuta–Lakṣa–Koṭi Fire-offerings (अयुतलक्षकोटिहोमाः) — Graha-yajña Vidhi
धर्म त्वं वृषरूपेण जगदानन्दकारकः अष्टमूर्तेरधिष्टानमतः शान्तिं प्रयच्छ मे
dharma tvaṃ vṛṣarūpeṇa jagadānandakārakaḥ aṣṭamūrteradhiṣṭānamataḥ śāntiṃ prayaccha me
Hỡi Dharma—trong hình tướng Bò đực (Vṛṣa) đem niềm hoan hỷ cho thế gian—ngươi là nền tảng nâng đỡ của Aṣṭamūrti (Bát Thể của Śiva); vì thế xin ban cho ta sự an hòa.
Lord Agni (narrating the stotra material within the Agni Purana’s discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Śānti-prārthanā linking Dharma (as Vṛṣa/bull) with Śiva’s Aṣṭamūrti doctrine; used in Śaiva worship, dharma-reflection, and pacificatory rites.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Dharma as Vṛṣa and the Support of Śiva’s Aṣṭamūrti","lookup_keywords":["Dharma","vṛṣa-rūpa","aṣṭamūrti","adhiṣṭhāna","śānti"],"quick_summary":"Identifies Dharma—symbolized as the bull—as world-delighting and as the sustaining basis of Śiva’s eightfold manifestation, then asks for peace. The practical takeaway is the inseparability of devotion and ethical order."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/Pratīka (symbolic identification)
Concept: Dharma is the sustaining ground (adhiṣṭhāna) for divine order; Śiva’s cosmic manifestations are upheld through dharmic stability.
Application: Cultivate dharma (truthfulness, restraint, duty) as a spiritual support for worship; use the prayer as a reminder that śānti arises from ethical alignment.
Khanda Section: Shiva-Dharma & Aṣṭamūrti-Stotra (Devotional Hymn / Śānti-prārthanā)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotional tableau: a majestic bull (vṛṣa) symbolizing Dharma stands steadfast before Śiva; subtle depiction of Śiva’s Aṣṭamūrti as eight cosmic elements surrounding or emanating from him; devotee prays for peace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva with serene face, Nandin/bull prominently in front, eight surrounding medallions representing Aṣṭamūrti elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether, sun, moon, yajamāna), bold outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Śiva with gold halo, richly ornamented Nandin, embossed gold leaf for the eight elemental emblems around the deity, ornate arch and border, devotional grandeur.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: Śiva central, Nandin foreground, eight labeled symbolic icons around (bhū, āpaḥ, agni, vāyu, ākāśa, sūrya, candra, yajamāna), fine linework and calm colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined courtly devotional scene with Śiva and a dignified bull, surrounding cosmic symbols subtly integrated into landscape/sky, delicate shading and intricate detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अष्टमूर्तेरधिष्ठानम् = अष्टमूर्तेः + अधिष्ठानम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Śiva-dharma materials and stotras; Agni Purana doctrinal passages on Aṣṭamūrti (Śiva as eight forms: e.g., earth, water, fire, air, ether, sun, moon, sacrificer—per common Śaiva schema)
FAQs
It conveys stotra-vidhi in essence: invoking Dharma as the bull-form and as the support of Śiva’s Aṣṭamūrti to obtain śānti (inner and outer peace) through devotional recitation.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and architecture, the Agni Purana preserves theological frameworks—here, the Shaiva Aṣṭamūrti doctrine and Dharma symbolism—showing its wide coverage of ritual devotion and metaphysics.
By aligning oneself with Dharma (cosmic order) and honoring Śiva’s all-pervading eightfold manifestation, the verse frames peace as a fruit of righteous alignment and devotional surrender.