Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 43
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
तं रक्षति स्वयं वह्निर्विश्वतो विश्वतोमुखः हंसः शुचिः सदित्येतच्छुचिरीक्षेद्दिवाकरं
taṃ rakṣati svayaṃ vahnirviśvato viśvatomukhaḥ haṃsaḥ śuciḥ sadityetacchucirīkṣeddivākaraṃ
Das Feuer selbst schützt diesen Menschen — den Allgegenwärtigen, dessen Antlitze in alle Richtungen gewandt sind. In der Betrachtung: „Der Haṃsa ist rein; die Sonne ist immer rein“ — nachdem er sich gereinigt hat, soll er zur Sonne schauen.
Lord Agni (narrating the observance to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Protective contemplation of Agni as viśvato-mukha and purification practice: meditate on purity of Haṃsa and Sun, then perform sun-gazing as a śauca-linked observance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Agni as Viśvato-mukha protector; Haṃsa–Sūrya śauca and dīvakara-darśana","lookup_keywords":["viśvato-mukha agni","haṃsa śuci","āditya śuci","dīvakara-darśana","śauca"],"quick_summary":"Agni is declared the direct protector of the practitioner; by contemplating ‘Haṃsa is pure, the Sun is pure’ and becoming purified, one is instructed to gaze upon the Sun as a purificatory act."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (subtle repetition of śuci/śuciḥ)
Concept: Purity as recognition of the ever-pure (śuci) principle in Haṃsa (inner breath/paramahaṃsa symbolism) and Sūrya; protection arises from alignment with cosmic order.
Application: Use the purity-formula as a daily contemplative reset; after inner/outer cleanliness, perform respectful solar darśana as a reminder of clarity and vigilance.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-japa and Purification (Shauca) Observances
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A purified practitioner stands near the sacred fire, protected by Agni envisioned as all-faced; then, with the mantra of purity, he gazes toward the rising Sun in reverent contemplation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Agni as a radiant presence with faces oriented to four directions, devotee in clean white garments, mantra text ribbon ‘haṃsaḥ śuciḥ… ādityaḥ śuciḥ’, golden sun disk above, serene temple ambiance","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sun deity with gold-leaf brilliance, devotee below with folded hands, sacred fire at side, ornate gold borders, emphasis on purity and protection through luminous halos","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined lines: sequence-like composition showing (1) tending fire, (2) contemplation of purity phrase, (3) respectful sun-darśana; soft gradients and clear gestures","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dawn terrace scene, devotee facing the sun, small fire altar nearby, subtle depiction of Agni’s omnidirectional guardianship via surrounding luminous motifs, delicate atmospheric sky"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वह्निर्विश्वतो → वह्निः + विश्वतः; सदित्येतच्छुचिरीक्षेद्दिवाकरं → सः + आदित्यः + एतत् + शुचिः + ईक्षेत् + दिवाकरम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (pūjā-vidhi, śauca, agni-upāsanā); Agni Purana stotra/mantra sections on Sūrya and purification themes (elsewhere in the text)
FAQs
It teaches a purification-and-protection procedure: contemplate the purity of Haṃsa and Āditya, then—being ritually/politely purified—behold the Sun; this is said to confer Agni’s protective guardianship.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical daily ritual technology—purity rules, contemplations, and solar darśana—showing the text’s coverage of applied sādhana methods, not only mythic narration.
The act is framed as a purifier (śuci-kara) and a protective merit (rakṣā): aligning oneself with the stainlessness of Haṃsa and the Sun is said to remove impurity and invite Agni’s safeguarding presence.