Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 35
अध्याय १ — यजुर्विधानम्
Agni Purana, Chapter 259: Yajur-vidhāna
शिवो भवेत्यग्न्युत्पाते व्रीहिभिर्जुहुयान्नरः याः सेना इति चैतच्च तस्करेभ्यो भयापहम्
śivo bhavetyagnyutpāte vrīhibhirjuhuyānnaraḥ yāḥ senā iti caitacca taskarebhyo bhayāpaham
When an inauspicious portent connected with fire (agni-utpāta) arises, a man should offer rice-grains (vrīhi) into the fire, reciting, “śivo bhavet” (“may it be auspicious”). Likewise he should employ the formula “yāḥ senāḥ”; this rite removes fear of thieves.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s frame-dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Apotropaic homa to pacify agni-related omens and remove fear (especially of theft/robbery) using rice oblations with specific mantras.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Agni-utpāta-śānti with vrīhi-homa (anti-theft fear removal)","lookup_keywords":["agni-utpāta","śānti-kalpa","vrīhi-homa","śivo bhavet","yāḥ senāḥ"],"quick_summary":"On seeing a fire-omen, offer rice into the fire while reciting ‘śivo bhavet’; also employ the ‘yāḥ senāḥ’ formula. The rite is stated to dispel fear arising from thieves."}
Concept: Mantra and homa as śānti (pacification) to neutralize inauspicious nimitta and restore auspicious order.
Application: Perform a brief rice-homa with the stated mantras at the time of agni-omen; frame it as protective rite for household/settlement security.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-kalpa (Omens, portents, and pacificatory fire-rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder-priest before a small homa-kunda, offering handfuls of rice into a bright fire while chanting ‘śivo bhavet’ and ‘yāḥ senāḥ’; in the background, signs of a fire-omen and a guarded doorway symbolizing protection from thieves.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, sacred fire altar with stylized flames, brahmin in white dhoti offering vrīhi into homa, palm-leaf mantra text motifs, protective aura around the house, traditional ornamented borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central homa-kunda with gold-leaf flames, priest offering rice, embossed aureole of auspiciousness labeled ‘Śiva’, subtle depiction of thieves repelled at the edge, rich reds and greens, heavy jewelry details on attendant deities.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework, instructional composition showing rice oblation steps, mantra captions ‘śivo bhavet’ and ‘yāḥ senāḥ’, calm domestic shrine setting, delicate shading and pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard homa scene, precise rendering of rice grains and ghee ladle nearby, calligraphic mantra cartouches, narrative margin with would-be thieves retreating, architectural depth and fine textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhavet + iti → bhavetīti; agni + utpāte → agnyutpāte; vrīhibhiḥ + juhuyāt → vrīhībhirjuhuyāt; juhuyāt + naraḥ → juhuyānnaraḥ; etat + ca → etacca; tat + ca → tacca; bhaya + apaham → bhayāpaham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 259 (Śānti-kalpa / utpāta-śānti sections); Agni Purana homa-prayoga passages in Puja-vidhi
FAQs
It prescribes an agni-utpāta śānti: offering vrīhi (rice) as homa while reciting specific protective formulas (“śivo bhavet” and “yāḥ senāḥ”) to neutralize the ill effects of fire-portents and to ward off fear of thieves.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical applied rites—here, a concise manual-style instruction for omen-pacification and security (anti-theft protection) through mantra and homa, showing its coverage of ritual technology for everyday risks.
By performing śānti through homa and mantra, one ritually restores auspicious order (śiva) after an ominous disturbance, seeking purification, reduction of adverse karma indicated by the portent, and protective merit (rakṣā) against harm such as theft.