Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 36
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
पितरित्युपतिष्ठेत नित्यमर्थमुपस्थितं अग्ने नयेति सूक्तेन घृतहोमश् च मार्गगः
pitarityupatiṣṭheta nityamarthamupasthitaṃ agne nayeti sūktena ghṛtahomaś ca mārgagaḥ
Debe uno presentarse siempre en reverente asistencia invocando: «¡Oh Padres (Pitṛs)!», permaneciendo constantemente atento al rito; y, mediante el himno que comienza «Agne naya…», ha de ofrecerse una oblación de ghee (mantequilla clarificada). Así, el difunto se convierte en viajero por la senda correcta, guiado en el curso debido.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual procedure in Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily/regular pitṛ-upasthāna and ghee-homa using the ‘Agne naya…’ sūkta to guide the departed on the proper path (preta/pitṛ-gati).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pitṛ-upasthāna with ‘Agne naya’ ghee-homa for proper gati","lookup_keywords":["pitaraḥ upatiṣṭheta","Agne naya","ghṛta-homa","śrāddha","pitṛ-gati"],"quick_summary":"Maintain regular reverent attendance to the Fathers and perform ghṛta-homa with the ‘Agne naya…’ hymn; the rite is presented as ensuring right guidance and onward journey for the departed."}
Concept: Pitṛ-ṛṇa and continuity of dharma: the living sustain the departed through śrāddha-like attention and Agni-mediated offerings, supporting right post-mortem course.
Application: Integrate periodic pitṛ-karmas (tarpana/śrāddha/homa as per capacity) with sincerity and steadiness (nityam, artham-upasthitam).
Khanda Section: Shraddha and Pitri-Karma (Ancestral Rites / Agneya-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder performs ghṛta-homa before a bright Vedic fire while invoking ‘Pitaraḥ’; in the background a subtle ancestral figure is shown being led along a luminous path by Agni.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, blazing homa-kuṇḍa with stylized flames, householder in white with sacred thread, hands offering ghee, faint ancestral silhouettes moving on a golden path guided by Agni-deity form, strong contours and flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Agni as a radiant deity above the fire with gold halo, devotee offering ghee with ladle, ornate arch and gold leaf flames, ancestral figures in miniature panels ascending a path.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear ritual diagram feel: homa-kuṇḍa, ghee ladle, posture of offerer, caption ‘Agne naya’, soft palette and precise detailing of implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic courtyard homa scene with fine utensils, smoke curling upward, allegorical ‘path’ painted as a luminous road in the distance with faint ancestors, delicate linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पितरित्युपतिष्ठेत = पितरि + इति + उपतिष्ठेत; अर्थमुपस्थितम् = अर्थम् + उपस्थितम्; नयेति = नय + इति; घृतहोमश् च = घृत-होमः + च (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Śrāddha and Pitṛ-karma subsection)
FAQs
It prescribes a Pitṛ-rite: invoke the ancestors (“pitar iti”), maintain constant ritual attentiveness, and offer a ghṛta-homa using the ‘Agne naya…’ sūkta as the guiding mantra.
It exemplifies the text’s procedural cataloging of applied dharma—giving specific mantras and homa-instructions within the broader compendium of rites (śrāddha, tarpaṇa, pitṛ-yajña) alongside many other disciplines.
The verse links correct mantra-led homa with beneficial passage: Agni, invoked as ‘leader’, is ritually empowered to guide the departed/recipient along the proper path, supporting ancestral welfare and the performer’s merit.