Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 154: विवाहः
Vivāha — Marriage
तथा गोमिथुनादानाद्विवाहस्त्वार्ष उच्यते प्रार्थिता दीयते यस्य प्राजापत्यः स धर्मकृत्
tathā gomithunādānādvivāhastvārṣa ucyate prārthitā dīyate yasya prājāpatyaḥ sa dharmakṛt
وكذلك إذا قُدِّم زوجٌ من البقر (إلى والد العروس) سُمِّي ذلك الزواج «آرْشا» (Ārṣa). وأما الزواج الذي تُعطى فيه الفتاة إذا طُلِبت وخُطِبت فهو «براجابَتْيا» (Prājāpatya)؛ ومثل هذا الرجل عاملٌ بالدَّرما.
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Differentiates Ārṣa and Prājāpatya marriage forms, including the cattle-gift feature of Ārṣa and the request-based gifting in Prājāpatya, aiding classification of customary marriages and their dharmic valuation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ārṣa and Prājāpatya Vivāha: go-mithuna-dāna and prārthita-kanyādāna","lookup_keywords":["arsha-vivaha","prajapatya-vivaha","go-mithuna-dana","vivaha-bheda","dharma-krt"],"quick_summary":"Ārṣa marriage is marked by giving a pair of cattle; Prājāpatya is where the maiden is given upon request, praised as dharma-conducting."}
Concept: Normative taxonomy of social rites: marriage forms are distinguished by intent and exchange (gift/request), with moral evaluation attached to procedure.
Application: Use as a rule to identify the vivaha type in community practice (especially where gifts/exchanges occur) and align rites with dharmic expectations.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Vivaha-bheda / Marriage classifications)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two juxtaposed wedding vignettes: in Ārṣa, a pair of cattle is ceremonially presented; in Prājāpatya, the groom respectfully requests and the father grants the maiden, with priests witnessing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-panel composition, left: cow-pair gift with attendants; right: request-and-grant gesture before sacred fire, bold flat colors and ritual clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted cattle ornaments and wedding pavilion, priests and family in symmetrical composition, auspicious motifs (lotus, kalasha)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diptych with labels ‘Ārṣa’ and ‘Prājāpatya’, clear depiction of go-mithuna-dāna and prārthanā (request) gesture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pastoral cattle presentation scene transitioning to refined indoor marriage rite, rich textiles and precise facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Sri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gomithunādānādvivāhaḥ → go-mithuna-dānāt + vivāhaḥ; vivāhastvārṣa → vivāhaḥ + tu + ārṣaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vivaha-bheda list continuing beyond these verses; Agni Purana: Dana (gift) discussions in dharma sections (contextual link to go-dana)
FAQs
It defines two dharma-legal categories of marriage—Ārṣa (marked by gifting a pair of cattle) and Prājāpatya (giving the maiden upon formal request)—used for identifying socially sanctioned vivāha forms.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogues practical norms of society and law; here it functions like a Dharmaśāstra digest by classifying marriage types with identifying features and moral valuation.
By endorsing Prājāpatya as dharma-conducive (“sa dharmakṛt”), the verse frames properly conducted marriage as a meritorious act that supports righteous household life and social order.