Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 2
Chapter 364 — ब्रह्मवर्गः
Brahmavarga: Lexical Classification of Brahminical/Ritual Terms
यष्टा च यजमानः स्यात् ज्ञात्वारम्भ उपक्रमः सतीर्थ्याश् चैकगुरवः सभ्याः सामाजिकास् तथा
yaṣṭā ca yajamānaḥ syāt jñātvārambha upakramaḥ satīrthyāś caikaguravaḥ sabhyāḥ sāmājikās tathā
The sacrificer (yaṣṭā) should be the yajamāna (the patron who commissions the rite), having understood the proper commencement and the procedure of the undertaking. And there should be ritual peers or fellow-students, those of a single preceptor, as well as the learned members of the assembly and the officiating participants likewise.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Constitute the yajña’s human framework correctly: the yajamāna as patron-performer, with properly trained peers and a competent sabhā to ensure procedural correctness and social-ritual legitimacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yajamāna and Sabhā Requirements at Yajña Commencement","lookup_keywords":["yajamāna","ārambha-upakrama","sabhya","sāmājika","satīrthya"],"quick_summary":"The rite should be initiated only after understanding the correct commencement-protocol, with the yajamāna as the responsible patron and a qualified peer-group and assembly to witness and support the ritual."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on right agency (yajamāna) and right community (qualified peers and sabhā) aligned to proper procedure.
Application: Before any major rite, verify eligibility, training-lineage, and the presence of competent witnesses/participants to prevent doṣa (ritual fault).
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Śrauta-Smārta Karma (Yajña-vidhi and ritual protocol)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yajña pavilion at the moment of commencement: the yajamāna seated with ritual peers (satīrthya, ekaguru) and an assembly of learned sabhyas and participants arranged formally around the altar space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, yajña-śālā interior, yajamāna in white garments with sacred thread, learned sabhyas seated in rows, palm-leaf manuscripts, calm ochre-red palette, stylized faces, ritual vessels near the altar, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yajña commencement scene with yajamāna enthroned on a low seat, sabhā arranged around, rich textiles, gold-leaf highlights on ritual vessels and canopy borders, deep reds and greens, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of yajña assembly layout, labeled positions for yajamāna and sabhyas, delicate linework, muted colors, emphasis on orderly seating and protocol","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-like ritual assembly in a pavilion, yajamāna and scholars in discussion, fine architectural details, patterned carpets, precise facial portraiture, subdued yet intricate palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सतीर्थ्याश् → सतीर्थ्याः (श् + च → ः/श्च); चैकगुरवः → च + एकगुरवः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 364.3; Agni Purana 364.6
FAQs
It specifies ritual governance: the yajña should be led by a properly informed yajamāna/performer who knows the correct commencement (ārambha) and procedural sequence (upakrama), and it recognizes required/appropriate categories of accompanying learned and communal participants.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical dharma and yajña-administration—defining roles (yajamāna, sabhya, sāmājika) and procedural competence—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of ritual law and social-ritual institutions.
Correct initiation and procedure, undertaken by a qualified patron/performer with proper witnesses and participants, safeguards the rite from defects (doṣa) and supports the intended merit (puṇya) and purification (śuddhi) of the sacrifice.