Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 24
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
एकश्चासीद् यजुर्वेदस्तं चतुर्धा व्यकल्पयत् आध्वर्यवं यजुर्भिस्तु ऋग्भिर्होत्रं तथा मुनिः
ekaścāsīd yajurvedastaṃ caturdhā vyakalpayat ādhvaryavaṃ yajurbhistu ṛgbhirhotraṃ tathā muniḥ
The Yajurveda was once a single corpus; then the sage arranged it into four divisions: the Adhvaryu’s office through the Yajus formulas, and likewise the Hotṛ’s office through the Ṛg verses.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic instruction in encyclopedic style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Maps Vedic corpora to ritual priestly offices (ṛtvij roles), guiding correct liturgical assignment in śrauta performance and textual study.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ritvik-functions by Veda: Adhvaryu (Yajus) and Hotṛ (Ṛk)","lookup_keywords":["Yajurveda","Adhvaryu","Hotṛ","Ṛgveda","Śrauta-yajña"],"quick_summary":"Records that Yajurveda was once one and then arranged into divisions, and specifies functional pairing: Adhvaryu operates through Yajus-formulas, Hotṛ through Ṛg-verses."}
Concept: Dharma is upheld by correct role-allocation and mantra-usage in yajña; function (karma) aligns with śruti-branch.
Application: For ritualists: ensure the correct priest recites the correct textual layer; for students: choose study focus aligned to intended ritual competency.
Khanda Section: Veda-śākhā-vibhāga (Vedic classification and ritual offices)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A śrauta yajña scene showing Adhvaryu handling implements and murmuring Yajus, while Hotṛ recites Ṛg from a manuscript, each in their proper station around the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yajña-kunda central, Adhvaryu with ladle and altar-tools, Hotṛ seated with Ṛg manuscript, clear spatial stations, stylized flames, traditional costume and jewelry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted yajña fire, two principal priests with distinct attributes (ladle vs manuscript), ornate arch frame, rich textiles, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional clarity: labeled positions ‘Adhvaryu—Yajus’ and ‘Hotṛ—Ṛk’, fine linework, soft palette, ritual implements rendered precisely.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed sacrificial pavilion, priests in profile with manuscripts and utensils, attendants, vessels, and fire rendered with naturalistic detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एकः + च + आसीत् → एकश्चासीद्; यजुः + वेदः → यजुर्वेदः; ऋग्भिः + होत्रम् → ऋग्भिर्होत्रम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: sections on yajña/ṛtvij and Veda-śākhā classification (same sequence)
FAQs
It identifies how Vedic ritual is operationalized through priestly offices: Yajus-mantras are used for the Adhvaryu’s procedural actions, while Ṛg-verses are used for the Hotṛ’s recitations.
By summarizing Vedic organization and the functional mapping of mantras to ritual specialists, it preserves a compact reference to śrauta-yajña mechanics alongside the Purana’s many other disciplines.
Correct assignment of mantras to ritual roles supports proper performance of yajña, which is traditionally held to sustain sacred order (ṛta/dharma) and yield purificatory merit (puṇya).