Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Chapter 164: नवग्रहहोमः
Navagraha Fire-Offering
आकृष्णेन इमं देवा अग्निर्मूर्धा दिवः ककुत् उद्बुद्ध्यस्वेति च ऋचो यथासङ्ख्यं प्रकीर्तिताः
ākṛṣṇena imaṃ devā agnirmūrdhā divaḥ kakut udbuddhyasveti ca ṛco yathāsaṅkhyaṃ prakīrtitāḥ
إن أبيات الرِّگڤيدا (ṛc) التي تبتدئ بـ«Ākṛṣṇena…» و«Imaṃ devā…» و«Agnir mūrdhā divaḥ kakut…» و«Udbuddhyasva…» تُتلى (أو تُعدّ) هكذا وفق ترتيبها العددي الصحيح.
Lord Agni (narrating within the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Mantra-prayoga: correct sequencing of specified Ṛgvedic ṛcas for agni-vidyā/ṛṣi-sūkta style recitation within ritual contexts (homa, śānti, devayajana).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ṛgvedic Ṛc-krama for Agni-vidyā Recitation","lookup_keywords":["Ākṛṣṇena","Imaṃ devāḥ","Agnir mūrdhā divaḥ kakut","Udbuddhyasva","ṛc-krama"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates four Ṛgvedic verses by incipit and states they are to be recited in proper order—serving as a practical checklist to avoid prayoga errors."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy is tied to śruti fidelity—correct ṛc identification by incipit and correct sequence (krama).
Application: Create a ritual script (paddhati) listing these incipits in order; train reciters to verify sequence before homa/śānti.
Khanda Section: Vedic Mantra-Prayoga (Agni-vidya / Rishi-sukta recitation order)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest with a ṛgvedic manuscript/palm-leaf, pointing to incipits ‘Ākṛṣṇena’, ‘Imaṃ devāḥ’, ‘Agnir mūrdhā…’, ‘Udbuddhyasva…’ arranged in a numbered list; a homa fire nearby indicating application.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, seated ṛtvik reciting beside agni, palm-leaf manuscript with highlighted incipit words, simple numbered markers, lamp-lit ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Vedic reciter with manuscript, gold accents on sacred fire and manuscript edges, incipit words in stylized script, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like depiction: four incipits in order with numerals, priest demonstrating recitation posture, clean composition and legible calligraphy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest in a library pavilion with a small fire altar, manuscript open showing incipits, fine penwork and marginal annotations"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: agnirmūrdhā → agniḥ + mūrdhā; udbuddhyasveti → udbuddhya + asva + iti; yathāsaṅkhyaṃ → yathā-saṅkhyam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana mantra-prayoga and homa sections contiguous with 164.5–164.6
FAQs
It teaches mantra-prayoga by specifying that certain Ṛgvedic ṛcs (identified by their opening words) must be cited/recited in correct numerical sequence (yathāsaṅkhyam).
By cataloging Vedic material through incipits (opening words) and prescribing an ordered method of reference/recitation, it functions like a ritual-technical index—showing the Purana’s role as a practical manual alongside theology.
Correct sequencing and accurate citation of mantras is traditionally held to preserve mantra-śakti (ritual efficacy), supporting purity of rite, clarity of intention, and the intended sacrificial or devotional merit.