Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
सौत्रामणिसप्तसोमसंस्थाग्निष्टोम आदितः अत्यग्निष्टोम उक्थश् च षोडशी वाजपेयकः
sautrāmaṇisaptasomasaṃsthāgniṣṭoma āditaḥ atyagniṣṭoma ukthaś ca ṣoḍaśī vājapeyakaḥ
অগ্নিষ্টোমৰ পৰা আৰম্ভ কৰি সোমযজ্ঞসমূহ সপ্ত সোমসংস্থাত বিন্যস্ত। তাত সৌত্রামণি, অত্যগ্নিষ্টোম, উক্থ্য, ষোড়শী আৰু বাজপেয় আদি ৰূপ আছে।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic instruction to Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Identify Soma-sacrifice types within the seven saṃsthās and choose the correct variant (Agniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya, etc.) for patronal aims and ritual competence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Soma-saṃsthā and principal Soma-yajñas (Agniṣṭoma onward)","lookup_keywords":["Soma-samstha","Agnishtoma","Sautramani","Ukthya","Vajapeya"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates major Soma-sacrifice forms beginning with Agniṣṭoma and situates them within the seven Soma-saṃsthās for ritual classification."}
Concept: Ritual systematization of Soma-yajñas into recognized saṃsthā-classes and named variants.
Application: Use as a mnemonic index for priests/patrons to map desired rite to its saṃsthā and required stotra/śastra structure.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Vedic Yajña and Soma-sacrifice classifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Soma-sacrifice hall with pressing stones, soma trough, priests chanting; a side register showing the names Agniṣṭoma, Atyagniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya, Sautrāmaṇi arranged as a structured list under 'seven saṃsthās'.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, broad stylized figures of hotṛ/udgātṛ/adhvaryu around soma-pressing, green and ochre tones, decorative borders, text-like panels naming Agniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central soma-pressing scene with gold on vessels and ornaments, luminous haloed fire altar, small gold cartouches listing the Soma-yajñas, rich maroon background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional composition: labeled soma implements (adri stones, droṇa-kalaśa), neat callouts for each sacrifice name, balanced pastel palette, manuscript aesthetic","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly patron observing a soma-yajña, meticulous utensils, attendants, a scroll showing the seven saṃsthās and named rites, fine floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सौत्रामणि+सप्त+सोम+संस्था+अग्निष्टोमः → सौत्रामणिसप्तसोमसंस्थाग्निष्टोमः; अति+अग्निष्टोमः → अत्यग्निष्टोमः; उक्थः+च → उक्थश्च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166 (Soma-yajña classifications continuing from paśubandha lists)
FAQs
It provides a technical taxonomy of major Śrauta Soma-sacrifices—naming key Jyotiṣṭoma-related rites (Agniṣṭoma and its variants such as Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya) within the framework of the seven Soma-saṃsthās.
By compressing specialized Vedic ritual classifications into a Purāṇic chapter, it functions like a ritual index—showing how the Agni Purāṇa preserves and summarizes Śrauta technical knowledge alongside its many other subjects.
These Soma-yajñas are traditionally understood as high-merit rites that purify the sacrificer, strengthen dharma, and support prosperity and status; listing them signals their recognized hierarchy and sacred efficacy within Vedic ritual culture.