Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 65
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
उद्यन्तं मध्यगञ्चैव दीर्घमायुर्जिजीविषुः इन्द्रा सोमेति सूक्तन्तु कथितं शत्रुनाशनं
udyantaṃ madhyagañcaiva dīrghamāyurjijīviṣuḥ indrā someti sūktantu kathitaṃ śatrunāśanaṃ
For one who desires long life, the hymns to the Rising Sun and to the Midday Sun should be employed; and the Sūkta beginning “Indrā Somā …” is taught as a destroyer of enemies.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Sage Vashistha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Use time-specific solar hymns for longevity and employ the ‘Indrā Somā…’ sukta as a protective/hostile-force pacifying recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Time-specific Sūrya-sūktas and ‘Indrā Somā’ Sukta for Protection","lookup_keywords":["udyantam sukta","madhyagam sukta","dīrghāyuḥ mantra","Indrā Somā sukta","śatrunāśana"],"quick_summary":"For long life, apply hymns to the rising and midday Sun; the sukta beginning ‘Indrā Somā…’ is prescribed as a śatrunāśana (enemy-destroying) protective recitation."}
Concept: Kāla (time) is a ritual axis: aligning mantra with solar phases is presented as a means to secure āyuḥ and protection.
Application: Maintain morning and midday recitation; deploy the Indra–Soma sukta as a focused protective chant when facing hostility.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya (Protective Hymns and Vedic Suktas)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-panel depiction: at sunrise and at midday, a practitioner recites solar hymns; a third vignette shows Indra and Soma as protective deities dispelling hostile forces.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: split composition—left dawn Sun, right zenith Sun; devotee in upasthāna posture; above, stylized Indra with vajra and Soma with lunar vessel, warding off dark figures; warm ochres and reds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: embossed gold Sun at two positions (dawn and noon) with ornate rays; small Indra (vajra) and Soma (moon emblem) in upper corners; devotee chanting; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional layout with labeled ‘Udyantam’ and ‘Madhyagam’; clean figures, subtle gold highlights; protective aura around the chanter when ‘Indrā Somā’ is recited.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtyard scenes at sunrise and noon with changing shadows; scholar-priest chanting from a palm-leaf manuscript; allegorical Indra–Soma in cloud-borne vignette dispersing adversaries."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मध्यगञ्चैव = मध्यगम् + च + एव; दीर्घमायुर्जिजीविषुः = दीर्घम् + आयुः + जिजीविषुः; सोमेतिः = सोम + इति; सूक्तन्तु = सूक्तम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Surya-upasana subsections (udaya/madhyāhna prayoga); Agni Purana: Rakṣā-mantra and śānti-kalpa style prescriptions
FAQs
It prescribes the practical use of specific Vedic hymns—those connected with the rising and midday solar aspects for longevity, and the “Indrā Somā …” Sukta as a śatru-nāśana (enemy-destroying) protective recitation.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s catalog-like method of preserving applied ritual knowledge: it links desired outcomes (long life, overcoming enemies) with named Vedic sources (specific suktas), functioning like a manual of mantra-based remedies alongside its many other disciplines.
The instruction frames mantra-recitation aligned with cosmic powers (solar phases; Indra–Soma) as a dharmic means to secure āyus (life-force) and protection, implying purification and merit through disciplined, intention-based Vedic chanting.