Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 25
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
उपायज्ञो ऽथ चित्तज्ञो विशुद्धो दोषनाशनः गुणार्जनपरो नित्यं सर्वकर्मविशारदः
upāyajño 'tha cittajño viśuddho doṣanāśanaḥ guṇārjanaparo nityaṃ sarvakarmaviśāradaḥ
He is skilled in the means and procedures of sacrifice; he understands the mind and intention; he is pure and a remover of faults; ever devoted to acquiring virtues, and proficient in every ritual act.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi / Mantra-vidya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selection/training criteria for a priest (ṛtvik/ācārya) in yajña and pūjā: competence in procedure, purity, ethical self-cultivation, and fault-removal through correct expiation and careful performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ritual qualifications of the officiant (ṛtvik-lakṣaṇa)","lookup_keywords":["ṛtvik","yajña-upāya","śuddhi","doṣa-nāśana","sarva-karma-viśārada"],"quick_summary":"Defines the ideal ritual specialist as procedurally skilled, intention-aware, pure, and committed to virtue, capable of preventing and correcting ritual faults."}
Concept: Adhikāra (fitness) for ritual arises from inner purity, right intention, and disciplined competence; virtue-acquisition is continuous.
Application: Use as a checklist for appointing priests and as a self-audit for daily sādhana: śauca, doṣa-parihāra, and mastery of karmakāṇḍa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-vidya (Ritual qualifications and priestly virtues)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned priest seated near a yajña-vedi, holding ritual implements, instructing assistants; visual emphasis on purity, calm focus, and orderly ritual space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a serene ṛtvik beside a square yajña-vedi with ladle and kuśa grass, assistants arranged symmetrically, sacred fire glowing, minimal background, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central priest figure with halo-like aureole, gold-leaf highlights on yajña-vedi and utensils, rich reds and greens, stylized flames, devotional yet instructional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, soft shading, priest demonstrating correct mudrā and offering sequence, labeled implements (sruc, kuśa), clean architectural frame suggesting a ritual hall","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual pavilion, priest and scribal assistant noting procedures, delicate textiles, precise depiction of implements and fire altar, subdued elegance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपायज्ञोऽथ = उपायज्ञः + अथ (अः + अ → ओऽ); अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-संधि न्यूनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi sections on ācārya/ṛtvik qualifications and doṣa-prāyaścitta (contextual)
FAQs
It specifies the required competencies of a ritual officiant: mastery of sacrificial procedure (upāya-yajña), accurate understanding of intention (cittajña), and technical proficiency across rites (sarvakarmaviśārada).
By codifying practitioner-qualifications alongside ritual method, it functions like a procedural manual—showing that the Agni Purāṇa preserves not only theology but also applied ritual standards and professional competencies.
Purity, fault-removal, and virtue-acquisition are presented as prerequisites for effective karma (ritual action), implying that correct rites require inner integrity and lead to purification and merit.