Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
Ayuta–Lakṣa–Koṭi Fire-offerings (अयुतलक्षकोटिहोमाः) — Graha-yajña Vidhi
मेखलायोनिसंयुक्तं कुण्डञ्चत्वार ऋत्विजः स्वयमेको ऽपि वा लक्षे सर्वं दशगुणं हि तत्
mekhalāyonisaṃyuktaṃ kuṇḍañcatvāra ṛtvijaḥ svayameko 'pi vā lakṣe sarvaṃ daśaguṇaṃ hi tat
Le kuṇḍa (foyer) muni, selon la règle, de la mekhalā et du yoni, et servi par quatre ṛtvij (prêtres officiants) ; ou bien, même si l’on l’accomplit soi-même seul dans le lakṣa, il faut comprendre que tout le fruit rituel devient dix fois plus grand.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Specifying kuṇḍa construction features (mekhalā, yoni) and officiant options (four ṛtviks or self-performance) while stating a tenfold multiplier of ritual fruit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kuṇḍa with Mekhalā-Yoni and the Tenfold Fruit Multiplier","lookup_keywords":["kuṇḍa","mekhalā","yoni","ṛtvij","daśaguṇa phala"],"quick_summary":"A properly furnished fire-pit with mekhalā and yoni, served by four priests—or even performed alone—yields a tenfold increase in the overall ritual result."}
Concept: Ritual fruit is amplified by correct apparatus (karaṇa-śuddhi) and sanctioned modes of performance (with ṛtviks or self).
Application: Ensure kuṇḍa conforms to prescribed features; if priests are unavailable, self-performance remains valid per the text, with stated fruit-multiplier.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-vidhi (Vedic fire-ritual procedure and its ritual multipliers)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close view of a fire-pit showing mekhalā banding and yoni outlet; four priests seated at cardinal points, with an alternate vignette of a lone practitioner performing homa; a subtle ‘tenfold’ motif (ten flames or ten rays).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized kuṇḍa with clear mekhalā and yoni, four ṛtviks around it, rhythmic flame patterns, symmetrical composition, earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate kuṇḍa with gold accents on mekhalā band, four priests with ritual ladles, luminous flames, decorative halo-like tenfold radiance motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: semi-diagrammatic depiction highlighting mekhalā and yoni parts, annotations implied by gestures, alternate panel showing ekākī (solo) homa, clean instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed courtyard ritual with four officiants, precise rendering of the kuṇḍa’s structural features, a secondary inset of a solitary ascetic performing the same rite."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुण्डञ्चत्वारः = कुण्डम् चत्वारः (च → ञ् before c); एकोऽपि = एकः अपि।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: kuṇḍa-bheda/kuṇḍa-lakṣaṇa discussions in homa sections; Agni Purana: passages on ṛtvij roles and prayoga variations
FAQs
It specifies homa-technology: the kuṇḍa should be constructed with the prescribed mekhalā and yoni features and ideally performed with four ṛtvij priests; it also states a tenfold amplification of the ritual’s total fruit.
It functions like a ritual manual entry—combining altar-design terminology (mekhalā, yoni), staffing norms (four ṛtviks), and a quantified result (tenfold phala)—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s practical, procedural coverage alongside theology.
By emphasizing correct kuṇḍa-form and proper officiation (or disciplined self-performance), the verse frames ritual precision as directly increasing puṇya/phala, here described as a tenfold rise in the overall merit.