Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 28
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
इमामिति जपन् शश्वत् कामानाप्नोत्यभीप्सितान् मानस्तोक इति द्वाभ्यां त्रिरात्रोपोषितः शुचिः
imāmiti japan śaśvat kāmānāpnotyabhīpsitān mānastoka iti dvābhyāṃ trirātropoṣitaḥ śuciḥ
بالمواظبة على ترديد (المانترا المبتدئ بـ «imām») ينال المرءُ المرغوبات التي يتمنى. وبعد صيام ثلاث ليالٍ مع حفظ الطهارة، يُتلى (النصّان/المانترتان) اللذان يبدآن بـ «māna» و«stoka».
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Siddhi-oriented observance: continuous japa of ‘imām…’ for iṣṭa-kāma-prāpti (desired attainments), and a three-night fast with purity while reciting the two mantras ‘māna…’ and ‘stoka…’ as a focused vrata-prayoga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Imām-japa for kāma-siddhi; Māna–Stoka dvaya with trirātra-upavāsa","lookup_keywords":["imām iti japa","kāma-siddhi","māna","stoka","trirātra upavāsa"],"quick_summary":"Regular japa of the ‘imām…’ mantra is prescribed for obtaining desired aims. For intensified purification/siddhi, fast three nights in purity and recite the paired ‘māna’ and ‘stoka’ mantras."}
Concept: Siddhi is linked to abhyāsa (continuous repetition) and niyama (fasting/purity). Desire is to be pursued through disciplined vrata rather than impulse.
Application: Combine steady japa with time-bound austerity (trirātra upavāsa) to strengthen resolve, reduce distraction, and ritualize goal-setting within dharmic limits.
Khanda Section: Mantra-japa and Vrata-vidhi (Ritual Observances for Siddhi and Purification)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner sits in japa with a mala and manuscript, then a second scene shows the same person observing a three-night fast—simple setting, purity marks, and focused recitation of two mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic-practitioner in clean white garments seated on a mat, japa-mālā, palm-leaf text; second vignette with moon phases indicating three nights, minimal food, glowing aura of mantra-siddhi","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated devotee with gold halo, mantra text band ‘imām…’; side panel showing trirātra upavāsa with three moon icons, gold embellishments on mala and manuscript","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence: continuous japa practice, then trirātra fasting with purity observances; clear depiction of mala counting, water pot, simple diet restraint, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet interior with scholar-devotee, detailed manuscript and rosary; night scenes with crescent moons marking three nights, sparse meal tray untouched, subtle spiritual luminosity"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: imāmiti = imām + iti; kāmānāpnotyabhīpsitān = kāmān + āpnoti + abhīpsitān; trirātropoṣitaḥ = trirātra + upoṣitaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Vrata-vidhi and mantra-japa for siddhi/purification)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-prayoga by incipit (identifying mantras by their opening words) and prescribes a trirātra-upavāsa (three-night fast) with śauca (purity) as the practical preparation for effective japa aimed at attaining desired results.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s procedural cataloging of ritual technology—linking mantra-recitation, fasting discipline, and purity rules—alongside other domains, showing how the text functions as a compendium of applied religious methods.
The verse frames disciplined japa, supported by fasting and purity, as a means of both inner purification and karmically efficacious action, yielding siddhi-like attainment of desired ends while reinforcing self-restraint (tapas) and śauca.