Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 23
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
उपतिष्ठेत् समित्पाणिर्वासांस्याप्नोत्यसंशयं आयुरीप्सन्निममिति कौत्स सूक्तं सदा जपेत्
upatiṣṭhet samitpāṇirvāsāṃsyāpnotyasaṃśayaṃ āyurīpsannimamiti kautsa sūktaṃ sadā japet
فليحضر (إلى الشعيرة المقدّسة/إلى المعلّم) وهو ممسكٌ في يده عيدانَ الوقود القرباني (samit)؛ فإنه ينال الثياب بلا ريب. ومن يبتغي طولَ العمر فليداوم على ترديد ترنيمة كاوتسا (Kautsa) التي تبتدئ بلفظ «imam iti».
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual/mantra application to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual etiquette of approaching with samit (fuel-sticks) and mantra-recitation for specific boons (garments, longevity) within Vedic-rite auxiliaries.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Samit-pāṇi Upasthāna and Kautsa ‘imam iti’ Sūkta for Āyuḥ","lookup_keywords":["samit-pani","upatisthati","vastra-prapti","kautsa sukta","imam iti"],"quick_summary":"Approach the rite/teacher with fuel-sticks in hand as proper upasthāna; this is said to yield garments, and constant recitation of the Kautsa hymn ‘imam iti’ is prescribed for long life."}
Concept: Śiṣya-bhāva and ritual readiness (samit-pāṇi) are dhārmic supports that condition mantra-phala and prosperity.
Application: Cultivate humility and preparedness in worship/learning contexts; pair external service (samit) with internal discipline (daily sūkta-japa).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-japa and Vedic rite auxiliaries (Agni Purana ritual instructions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shrngara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A student/devotee approaches a sacred fire or teacher holding fuel-sticks, then sits to recite the ‘imam iti’ Kautsa hymn, with garments symbolically bestowed as fruit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, āśrama scene with guru near agni, disciple holding samit bundle, oil lamps and fire altar, later scene of seated recitation with calm reverence, simple garments motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and disciple under ornate arch, disciple with samit, agni-kunda with gold highlights, blessing gesture, folded cloth/garment depicted as boon with gold accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of proper approach posture, samit bundle clearly drawn, fire altar labeled, then recitation scene with manuscript stand, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hermitage with trees and fire altar, disciple presenting samit, guru seated on carpet, attendants, fine textile detail emphasizing ‘garments obtained’ motif"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samitpāṇir → samit-pāṇiḥ; vāsāṃsyāpnotyasaṃśayaṃ → vāsāṃsi + āpnoti + asaṃśayam; āyurīpsannimamiti → āyuḥ + īpsan + imam + iti.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: ācāra (conduct) and nitya-karma passages; Agni Purana: agni-kārya and homa auxiliaries where samit is required
FAQs
It teaches a specific prayoga (application): attend with samidh in hand as a sign of ritual service, and perform japa of the Kautsa-sūkta (identified by its incipit ‘imam iti’) to obtain definite results—clothing and, when aimed at, longevity.
It exemplifies the text’s catalog-like method of preserving practical ritual tech—naming a specific sūkta by incipit and linking it to concrete outcomes (phala), alongside behavioral protocol (samitpāṇi attendance), typical of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging instructional style.
The verse frames disciplined service (approaching with samidh) and sustained mantra-japa as merit-producing actions that secure both worldly support (clothing) and a higher boon (extended lifespan), implying purification and strengthened life-force through sanctioned Vedic recitation.