Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 25
Sāma-vidhāna
Procedure of the Sāman Hymns
सर्वपापप्रशमनाः कथिताः संशयं विना समिधः कण्टकोपेता अभिचारेषु योजयेत् आर्षं वै दैवतं छन्दो विनियोगज्ञ आचरेत्
sarvapāpapraśamanāḥ kathitāḥ saṃśayaṃ vinā samidhaḥ kaṇṭakopetā abhicāreṣu yojayet ārṣaṃ vai daivataṃ chando viniyogajña ācaret
এই সমিধাগুলি নিঃসন্দেহে সর্বপাপ প্রশমনকারী বলে ঘোষিত। অভিচার কর্মে কাঁটাযুক্ত সমিধা ব্যবহার করা উচিত। যে ব্যক্তি বিনিয়োগ (প্রয়োগবিধি) জানে, সে ঋষি, দেবতা ও ছন্দ যথাযথ নির্দিষ্ট করে আচরণ করবে।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Choose samidh according to rite-goal: sin-pacifying sticks for śānti; thorny sticks for abhicāra; always specify ṛṣi-devatā-chandas and apply correct viniyoga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Samidh-viniyoga: śānti vs abhicāra and the ṛṣi-devatā-chandas requirement","lookup_keywords":["samidh prasamana","kaṇṭakopeta samidh","abhicāra","viniyoga","ṛṣi devatā chandas"],"quick_summary":"Fuel-sticks are classified by function: some pacify sins, while thorn-bearing sticks are prescribed for hostile rites; proper performance requires knowing and stating the seer, deity, and metre for the mantra’s application."}
Concept: Ritual technology is rule-governed: dravya (samidh) selection and mantra metadata (ṛṣi-devatā-chandas) are integral to efficacy and safety.
Application: Before any mantra-homa, document viniyoga and select materials aligned to intent; avoid mixing śānti and abhicāra protocols.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Homa-dravya & Abhicāra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two bundles of fuel-sticks are contrasted: one ordinary/purifying, one thorny for abhicāra; a practitioner notes ṛṣi, devatā, and chandas on a ritual slate before beginning homa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition: left bundle of smooth samidh labeled śānti, right bundle of thorny sticks labeled abhicāra; priest writing ṛṣi-devatā-chandas on palm leaf; warm earthy tones, clear symbolic contrast","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate display of two samidh bundles with gold-highlighted labels; priest holding stylus and palm leaf noting ṛṣi-devatā-chandas; decorative border and ritual vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like scene: illustrated thorny vs non-thorny samidh, checklist of viniyoga (ṛṣi, devatā, chandas), neat altar in background; fine linework and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-practitioner in a study selecting between two bundles of sticks, writing mantra metadata; detailed botanical rendering of thorns, subdued palette, intimate indoor setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kaṇṭakopetā → kaṇṭaka-upetāḥ (agreeing with samidhaḥ); sarvapāpapraśamanāḥ is treated as a tatpurusha compound; no major external sandhi beyond standard vowel coalescence.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 260 (samidh and abhicāra guidelines)
FAQs
It teaches samidhā-viniyoga: the correct selection of fuel-sticks—thorny samidh for abhicāra—and the mandatory specification of mantra parameters (ṛṣi, devatā, chandas) by a viniyoga-knower.
It preserves a procedural manual-style detail of ritual technology—material selection (samidh type) and mantra taxonomy (ṛṣi–devatā–chandas–viniyoga)—showing the text’s coverage beyond mythology into applied liturgy and esoteric praxis.
It frames properly chosen homa materials and correctly applied mantras as instruments for pāpa-praśamana (karmic demerit pacification), while warning that specialized rites like abhicāra require precise, rule-bound execution.