Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 7
Sāma-vidhāna
Procedure of the Sāman Hymns
मणिं जातस्य बालस्य वध्नीयात्तदनन्तरं सोमं राजानमेतेन व्याधिभिर्विप्रमुच्यते वैष्णवी शान्तिरैन्द्री च ब्राह्मी रौद्री तथैव च वायव्या वारुणी चैव कौवेरी भार्गवी तथा
maṇiṃ jātasya bālasya vadhnīyāttadanantaraṃ somaṃ rājānametena vyādhibhirvipramucyate vaiṣṇavī śāntiraindrī ca brāhmī raudrī tathaiva ca vāyavyā vāruṇī caiva kauverī bhārgavī tathā
Inmediatamente después, debe atarse al recién nacido una gema protectora (amuleto). Con ello, y al invocar al Rey Soma (Soma—la Luna), se queda completamente libre de enfermedades. Las pacificaciones son: Vaiṣṇavī, Aindrī, Brāhmī, Raudrī, Vāyavyā, Vāruṇī, Kauverī y también Bhārgavī.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Bāla-rakṣā: tying a maṇi (amulet) to a newborn and invoking Soma; enumerating specific śānti-types for targeted protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Bāla-rakṣā Maṇi-bandhana and Soma-invocation; Eight Śāntis","lookup_keywords":["bāla-rakṣā","maṇi-bandhana","Soma rājā","Vaiṣṇavī śānti","Aindrī Brāhmī Raudrī"],"quick_summary":"Tie a protective gem on the newborn and invoke Soma for freedom from diseases; the verse lists key śānti categories (Vaiṣṇavī through Bhārgavī) used in pacificatory protection."}
Concept: Rakṣā as a dharmic duty toward the newborn; deva-śānti as harmonization with cosmic powers (Soma and dikpāla/devatā śāntis).
Application: Apply categorized śāntis as a modular system—selecting devatā-specific pacifications for infant well-being.
Khanda Section: Garbha-saṃskāra & Bāla-rakṣā (Protective rites for newborns; Mantra-śānti section)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vatsalya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A newborn is gently adorned with a protective gem-amulet; the priest/elder invokes Soma while enumerating devatā-śāntis for protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: mother with newborn, amulet tied on the infant’s arm/waist, priest chanting with palm-leaf manuscript, a luminous Soma-mandala above, calm protective aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central baby with jeweled amulet, gold haloed Soma above, surrounding small icons representing Vaiṣṇavī, Aindrī, Brāhmī, Raudrī, Vāyavyā, Vāruṇī, Kauverī, Bhārgavī, ornate borders and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional domestic rite—close-up of amulet-tying, priest seated with ritual items, subtle moon disc indicating Soma, clean composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor zenana scene, attendants, infant on cloth, elder tying amulet, moonlight through jali window symbolizing Soma, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vadhnīyāttadanantaraṃ → vadhnīyāt tad anantaram; rājānametena → rājānam etena; vyādhibhirvipramucyate → vyādhibhiḥ vipramucyate; śāntiraindrī → śāntiḥ aindrī; tathaiva → tathā eva; caiva → ca eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 260 (Garbha-saṃskāra, bāla-rakṣā, śānti lists)
FAQs
It prescribes a bāla-rakṣā procedure: tying a protective gem/amulet to a newborn and performing/reciting Soma-centered and deity-specific śānti (pacificatory) invocations to ward off disease.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical household and health-oriented rites—newborn protection, disease-averting śānti practices, and the cataloging of deity-specific pacifications—showing its coverage of ritual, wellbeing, and applied Dharma.
The act functions as a śānti-karma: it ritually harmonizes adverse influences (graha/devatā-doṣa) around birth, seeking divine protection and purification so the child’s life-force and health remain unobstructed.