Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 23
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
उपतिष्ठेत् समित्पाणिर्वासांस्याप्नोत्यसंशयं आयुरीप्सन्निममिति कौत्स सूक्तं सदा जपेत्
upatiṣṭhet samitpāṇirvāsāṃsyāpnotyasaṃśayaṃ āyurīpsannimamiti kautsa sūktaṃ sadā japet
Er soll (dem heiligen Ritus/dem Lehrer) beistehen, mit Opferholz (samit) in der Hand; ohne Zweifel erlangt er Gewänder. Wer langes Leben begehrt, soll stets den Kautsa-Hymnus rezitieren, der mit den Worten „imam iti“ beginnt.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual/mantra application to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual etiquette of approaching with samit (fuel-sticks) and mantra-recitation for specific boons (garments, longevity) within Vedic-rite auxiliaries.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Samit-pāṇi Upasthāna and Kautsa ‘imam iti’ Sūkta for Āyuḥ","lookup_keywords":["samit-pani","upatisthati","vastra-prapti","kautsa sukta","imam iti"],"quick_summary":"Approach the rite/teacher with fuel-sticks in hand as proper upasthāna; this is said to yield garments, and constant recitation of the Kautsa hymn ‘imam iti’ is prescribed for long life."}
Concept: Śiṣya-bhāva and ritual readiness (samit-pāṇi) are dhārmic supports that condition mantra-phala and prosperity.
Application: Cultivate humility and preparedness in worship/learning contexts; pair external service (samit) with internal discipline (daily sūkta-japa).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-japa and Vedic rite auxiliaries (Agni Purana ritual instructions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shrngara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A student/devotee approaches a sacred fire or teacher holding fuel-sticks, then sits to recite the ‘imam iti’ Kautsa hymn, with garments symbolically bestowed as fruit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, āśrama scene with guru near agni, disciple holding samit bundle, oil lamps and fire altar, later scene of seated recitation with calm reverence, simple garments motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and disciple under ornate arch, disciple with samit, agni-kunda with gold highlights, blessing gesture, folded cloth/garment depicted as boon with gold accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of proper approach posture, samit bundle clearly drawn, fire altar labeled, then recitation scene with manuscript stand, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hermitage with trees and fire altar, disciple presenting samit, guru seated on carpet, attendants, fine textile detail emphasizing ‘garments obtained’ motif"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samitpāṇir → samit-pāṇiḥ; vāsāṃsyāpnotyasaṃśayaṃ → vāsāṃsi + āpnoti + asaṃśayam; āyurīpsannimamiti → āyuḥ + īpsan + imam + iti.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: ācāra (conduct) and nitya-karma passages; Agni Purana: agni-kārya and homa auxiliaries where samit is required
FAQs
It teaches a specific prayoga (application): attend with samidh in hand as a sign of ritual service, and perform japa of the Kautsa-sūkta (identified by its incipit ‘imam iti’) to obtain definite results—clothing and, when aimed at, longevity.
It exemplifies the text’s catalog-like method of preserving practical ritual tech—naming a specific sūkta by incipit and linking it to concrete outcomes (phala), alongside behavioral protocol (samitpāṇi attendance), typical of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging instructional style.
The verse frames disciplined service (approaching with samidh) and sustained mantra-japa as merit-producing actions that secure both worldly support (clothing) and a higher boon (extended lifespan), implying purification and strengthened life-force through sanctioned Vedic recitation.