Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 74
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
वैखानसा ऋचस्त्रिंशत्पवित्राः परमा मताः आदित्येति प्रसंम्राजमिति ग , घ , ञ संस्थितेति क , छ , च ऋचो द्विषष्टिः प्रोक्ताश् च परस्वेत्यृषिसत्तम
vaikhānasā ṛcastriṃśatpavitrāḥ paramā matāḥ ādityeti prasaṃmrājamiti ga , gha , ña saṃsthiteti ka , cha , ca ṛco dviṣaṣṭiḥ proktāś ca parasvetyṛṣisattama
বৈখানস ঋগ্বেদের ত্রিশটি ‘পবিত্র’ ঋককে সর্বোত্তম বলা হয়েছে। কিছু পাঠে ‘আদিত্যেতি’ ও ‘প্রসংম্রাজম্ ইতি’ (গ, ঘ, ঞ) আছে, অন্য পাঠে ‘সংস্থিতেতি’ (ক, ছ, চ) দেখা যায়। হে ঋষিশ্রেষ্ঠ, ‘পরস্বেতি’ পাঠসহ ঋকের সংখ্যা বাষট্টিও বলা হয়েছে।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Pavitra-vidhāna in pūjā: selecting the correct Vaikhānasa Ṛg-mantra set and its recension-variants for ritual purity and consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vaikhānasa Pavitra Ṛg-verses (30/62) and Recension Readings","lookup_keywords":["Vaikhanasa","pavitra","ṛk","ādityeti","parasveti"],"quick_summary":"This entry enumerates the Vaikhānasa pavitra Ṛg-verses and notes variant readings across recensions, guiding correct mantra-selection for purification rites."}
Concept: Mantra-pramāṇa and śākhā-bheda: ritual efficacy depends on accurate transmission and correct pāṭha.
Application: When performing pavitra/śuddhi rites, follow one consistent recension and teacher-lineage; do not mix variant pāṭhas within a single prayoga.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-vidhi / Pavitra-vidhana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist consulting palm-leaf manuscripts, comparing śākhā readings, while preparing pavitra (purificatory) items for pūjā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, a Vaikhānasa priest in white dhoti holding palm-leaf manuscripts, sacred fire and pūjā vessels nearby, muted earth pigments, stylized architecture backdrop, emphasis on ritual purity and manuscript tradition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, priest seated before a small altar with lamps and kalasha, palm-leaf manuscript open showing Sanskrit, rich gold leaf highlights on vessels and halo-like aura around the altar, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, detailed instructional scene: manuscript variants marked, priest pointing to lines ‘ādityeti’ and ‘saṃsthiteti’, neat linework, soft colors, didactic layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest in a library pavilion comparing two manuscripts, attendants holding ritual implements, fine borders, delicate calligraphy panels, naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṛcastriṃśatpavitrāḥ → ṛcaḥ triṃśat pavitrāḥ; prasaṃmrājamiti → prasaṃmrājam iti; saṃsthiteti → saṃsthite iti; proktāś ca → proktāḥ ca; parasvetyṛṣisattama → parasva iti ṛṣi-sattama.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Pūjā-vidhi: pavitra-vidhāna/mantra-vidhi context)
FAQs
It specifies the authoritative counts of Vaikhānasa pavitra-ṛks used for ritual purification and notes accepted variant mantra-readings across different recensions.
Beyond prescribing ritual practice, it preserves technical details like mantra enumeration and variant readings (a quasi-text-critical note), showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of practical liturgical knowledge.
Correctly using the prescribed pavitra-mantras is presented as a supreme purifier, supporting ritual purity (śuddhi) and the merit (puṇya) of worship by ensuring mantra-accuracy.