Shloka 42

Devanagari script

अपूर्वम् अग्निहोत्रं च कुर्यात् प्राग् ब्रह्मणे ततः

Transliteration

apūrvam agnihotraṃ ca kuryāt prāg brahmaṇe tataḥ

Translation

First he should duly establish and perform the Agnihotra as a new and proper rite; thereafter he should proceed according to the ordinance of Brahman, the Vedic rule.

Word by Word

• अपूर्वम्: unprecedented/new
• अपूर्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter, nominative/accusative singular; adjective)

• अग्निहोत्रम्: Agnihotra rite
• अग्निहोत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्निहोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन (neuter, accusative singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction/particle)

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (optative, parasmaipada, 3rd person singular)

• प्राक्: before/first
• प्राक्: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्राक् (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: earlier/before)

• ब्रह्मणे: to Brahman / for the Brahman-priest
• ब्रह्मणे: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4), एकवचन (neuter, dative singular)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (Temporal/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/अनन्तरवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: then/thereafter)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Proper performance and sequencing of household rites (Agnihotra) in relation to dharma

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vedic injunction (brahma-vidhi) sanctifies action when a rite is established and performed in proper sequence.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Undertake duties with clear procedure, integrity, and reverence for scriptural/ethical norms rather than improvisation.

Vishishtadvaita: Dharma as service to the Supreme Lord is meaningful when aligned to His ordained order (niyama), even within worldly life.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Characters & Entities

• Agnihotra
• Brahman (Veda/śruti ordinance)

FAQs

What is the significance of Agnihotra in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse treats Agnihotra as a foundational, properly instituted daily rite—an act that upholds dharma and aligns human life with Vedic order.

How does Sage Parāśara explain correct ritual sequencing here?

He emphasizes priority and procedure: establish/perform the Agnihotra first, and then act in conformity with brahma—i.e., śruti-based injunctions.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even when discussing ritual, the Purana frames dharma as participation in cosmic order ultimately grounded in the Supreme Reality; Vedic action is meaningful because it coheres with that sovereign principle identified with Vishnu.