Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 16
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
अतिरात्रास् तथा स्तोम अष्टौ चात्मगुणास्ततः दया क्षमानसूया च अनायासो ऽथ मङ्गलं
atirātrās tathā stoma aṣṭau cātmaguṇāstataḥ dayā kṣamānasūyā ca anāyāso 'tha maṅgalaṃ
Likewise, the Atirātra rites and the Stoma-sacrifices are enumerated; and thereafter, the eight qualities of the self are: compassion, forgiveness, freedom from malice and envy, effortless ease (anāyāsa), and auspiciousness (maṅgala).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Combine outer ritual enumeration (Atirātra/Stoma) with inner cultivation of ātmaguṇas for ethical refinement alongside yajña practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Atirātra–Stoma enumeration and eight Ātma-guṇas (inner virtues)","lookup_keywords":["Atiratra","Stoma","Atmaguna","Daya","Kshama"],"quick_summary":"Pairs ritual categories with a compact list of inner virtues—compassion, forgiveness, non-malice, non-striving, auspiciousness, etc.—implying yajña must be supported by character."}
Concept: Ātma-śuddhi through cultivated virtues as a necessary complement to Vedic ritual performance.
Application: Adopt daily reflection: practice dayā and kṣamā, avoid asūyā, reduce needless striving, maintain maṅgala-bhāva while engaging in ritual duties.
Khanda Section: Yajña-vidhi & Dharma (Vedic Soma rites and inner virtues)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split scene: on one side an Atirātra night-sacrifice with lamps and chanting; on the other, a calm sage-like householder embodying virtues—offering help (dayā), forgiving (kṣamā), serene face (anāyāsa), auspicious symbols (maṅgala).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nocturnal yajña with deep blues and oil-lamp glow, priests chanting stoma, adjacent panel of serene figure blessing others, symbolic lotus and conch for maṅgala, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central calm figure with gold halo representing ātmaguṇas, small vignette of atirātra fire-altar at night, gold embossing on auspicious motifs, rich saturated colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic two-panel layout: left labeled 'Atirātra/Stoma', right labeled virtues (dayā, kṣamā, anasūyā, anāyāsa, maṅgala), fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night ritual under a pavilion with musicians/chanters, and a parallel courtly scene of reconciliation and charity illustrating virtues, delicate starry sky, floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: च+आत्मगुणाः+ततः → चात्मगुणास्ततः; अनायासः+अथ → अनायासोऽथ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166 (transition from yajña-bheda to guṇa/ācāra teaching)
FAQs
It references Soma-yajña categories—Atirātra and Stoma—while also listing ātmaguṇas (inner virtues) that support ritual purity and dharmic conduct.
The verse bridges two domains typical of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope: precise Vedic ritual taxonomy (Soma rites and stomas) and ethical-psychological instruction (virtues like compassion and forgiveness).
By pairing ritual categories with inner virtues, it implies that auspicious outcomes (maṅgala) and purification depend not only on correct rites but also on cultivated qualities such as dayā, kṣamā, and anasūyā.