Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 66
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
यस्य लुप्तं व्रतं मोहाद्व्रात्यैर् वा संसृजेत्सह उपोष्याज्यं स जुहुयात्त्वमग्ने व्रतपा इति
yasya luptaṃ vrataṃ mohādvrātyair vā saṃsṛjetsaha upoṣyājyaṃ sa juhuyāttvamagne vratapā iti
যার ব্রত মোহবশত লুপ্ত হয়েছে, অথবা যে ব্রাত্য/অশাস্ত্রীয় আচরণকারীদের সঙ্গে মিশেছে, সে উপবাস করে ঘৃতের আহুতি দেবে এবং বলবে—“হে অগ্নি, তুমি ব্রতরক্ষক (ব্রতপা)।”
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta for lapsed vows or improper association: fast, then offer ghee oblation while reciting ‘tvam agne vratapā’.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta for Vrata-lopa: ‘Agne Vratapā’ Ājya-homa","lookup_keywords":["vrata-lopa prāyaścitta","vrātya-saṅga expiation","upavāsa","ājya-homa","tvam agne vratapā"],"quick_summary":"When a vow is broken through delusion or by contact with vrātyas, one should fast and perform a ghee oblation to Agni with the mantra ‘O Agni, protector of vows’, restoring ritual integrity."}
Concept: Dharma is maintained by fidelity to vrata; when lapse occurs, prāyaścitta restores inner and outer order through tapas (fasting) and yajña (homa).
Application: On realizing a lapse, undertake a brief fast, then perform ājya-homa with the specified Agni-mantra as corrective discipline.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Prayashchitta (Vrataprayoga and expiation for lapsed vows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent practitioner, having fasted, performs a small ghee oblation into a sacred fire, reciting ‘tvam agne vratapā’, with a solemn, purifying atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central homa-kuṇḍa with stylized flames, devotee seated in tapas posture, ladle offering ghee, Agni-deity faintly emerging from fire, muted earthy palette, ritual implements neatly arranged.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Agni as radiant figure within flames with gold foil highlights; devotee offering ājya with ornate spoon; rich red background, temple lamp motifs, embossed borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional depiction of homa setup—kuṇḍa, ājya bowl, sruk/sruva, water pot; devotee chanting the mantra; soft colors and precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate indoor yajña scene with patterned carpets, copper vessels, small fire altar; the chanter’s focused expression; thin smoke curling upward; marginalia-style caption."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मोहाद्व्रात्यैः = मोहात् + व्रात्यैः; संसृजेत्सह = संसृजेत् + सह; उपोष्याज्यम् = उपोष्य + आज्यम्; जुहुयात्त्वम् = जुहुयात् + त्वम्; त्वमग्ने = त्वम् + अग्ने.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vrata-prayoga and prāyaścitta discussions in Puja-vidhi; Agni Purana: Homa/Agni-kārya procedural passages
FAQs
It prescribes a specific expiation: fasting (upoṣaṇa) followed by an ājya-homa (ghee oblation) with the mantra addressing Agni as “vratapā,” to restore ritual purity after a lapsed vow or improper association.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana catalogs practical dharma procedures—here, a concise prayāścitta protocol (fast + homa + mantra) for concrete lapses in observance, reflecting its compendium-like coverage of ritual law.
The act functions as purification and vow-restoration: by invoking Agni as the guardian of vows and offering ājya after fasting, one ritually repairs the breach (doṣa) and re-establishes disciplined conduct (vrata-niyama).