Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 25
सोमो धेन्विति षड् हुत्वा इमं मेति च होमयेत् आपो हि ष्ठेति तिसृभिरिमा रुद्रेति होमयेत्
somo dhenviti ṣaḍ hutvā imaṃ meti ca homayet āpo hi ṣṭheti tisṛbhirimā rudreti homayet
Après avoir offert six oblations avec le mantra commençant par «somo dhenv…», on doit encore offrir avec (le mantra) «imaṃ me…». Ensuite, avec les trois versets débutant par «āpo hi ṣṭhā…» et avec (le mantra) «imā rudra…», on offrira des oblations.
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure in the Agni Purana’s instructional voice)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Specifies mantra-prayoga and oblation counts/sets (six + single + three + single) using Vedic mantras for homa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Homa-mantra set: ‘Somo dhenv…’ (6), ‘imaṃ me…’, ‘āpo hi ṣṭhā…’ (3), ‘imā rudra…’","lookup_keywords":["somo dhenv mantra","āpo hi ṣṭhā","imā rudra","homa six oblations","mantra-prayoga"],"quick_summary":"The verse functions as a ritual index: it prescribes which mantras to use and how many oblations to offer with each, integrating Soma and water-purification verses with a Rudra-related offering."}
Concept: Mantra-śakti is activated through correct viniyoga (application) and saṅkhyā (count) of offerings.
Application: When performing the homa, keep a counted sequence: 6 oblations with ‘somo dhenv…’, then 1 with ‘imaṃ me…’, then 3 with ‘āpo hi ṣṭhā…’, then 1 with ‘imā rudra…’.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa and Mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest at the fire altar counting oblations with a rosary or finger-count, reciting specific mantras; water vessels and a small āpaḥ-kalaśa nearby to signify ‘āpo hi ṣṭhā’; a Rudra symbol (trident/linga emblem) subtly present for the ‘imā rudra’ offering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central agni with rhythmic offering gestures shown in a sequence band (six marks, then one, then three, then one), water pot with lotus motif for ‘āpo’, stylized Rudra emblem; bold outlines and flat sacred space.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on ladles and ghee pot, priest in profile offering repeatedly, decorative panels showing water waves for ‘āpo’ and a small Rudra icon; ornate border with mantra-count motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional plate: numbered oblation steps (6-1-3-1) around the homa-kunda, clear depiction of sruk/sruva, ghee bowl, water pot; minimal background for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor yajña scene, assistant holding a manuscript with the mantras, priest counting offerings, detailed metalwork vessels, water basin reflecting light; subtle Rudra insignia on a hanging cloth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धेन्विति = धेनु + इति; मेति = मे + इति; ष्ठेति = स्थ + इति; तिसृभिरिमा = तिसृभिः + इमा; rudreti reflects mantra-quotation (रुद्रे + इति / रुद्र + इति)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 64 (Homa-mantra sections contiguous to this verse)
FAQs
It prescribes a precise homa sequence: six offerings with the “somo dhenv…” mantra, followed by offerings with “imaṃ me…”, then three offerings with “āpo hi ṣṭhā…”, and an offering with “imā rudra…”, indicating mantra-count and order (mantra-prayoga and saṅkhyā-viniyoga).
Beyond mythic narration, it functions as a practical ritual handbook, preserving operational details—counts of oblations, selection of Vedic mantras, and their deployment—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a compendium of applied religious technologies.
Correctly ordered oblations with Soma, Waters, and Rudra mantras are traditionally understood to purify the performer, stabilize rites through mantra-śakti, and secure merit (puṇya) by aligning the sacrifice with established Vedic recitation and offering protocol.