Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 74
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
वैखानसा ऋचस्त्रिंशत्पवित्राः परमा मताः आदित्येति प्रसंम्राजमिति ग , घ , ञ संस्थितेति क , छ , च ऋचो द्विषष्टिः प्रोक्ताश् च परस्वेत्यृषिसत्तम
vaikhānasā ṛcastriṃśatpavitrāḥ paramā matāḥ ādityeti prasaṃmrājamiti ga , gha , ña saṃsthiteti ka , cha , ca ṛco dviṣaṣṭiḥ proktāś ca parasvetyṛṣisattama
Les strophes Ṛg des Vaikhānasa—trente pavitra—sont tenues pour suprêmes. (Dans certaines recensions) on lit «ādityeti» et «prasaṃmrājam iti» (ga, gha, ña) ; (dans d’autres) «saṃsthiteti» (ka, cha, ca). Et l’on dit aussi que les strophes Ṛk sont au nombre de soixante-deux, ô le meilleur des sages, avec la leçon «parasveti».
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Pavitra-vidhāna in pūjā: selecting the correct Vaikhānasa Ṛg-mantra set and its recension-variants for ritual purity and consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vaikhānasa Pavitra Ṛg-verses (30/62) and Recension Readings","lookup_keywords":["Vaikhanasa","pavitra","ṛk","ādityeti","parasveti"],"quick_summary":"This entry enumerates the Vaikhānasa pavitra Ṛg-verses and notes variant readings across recensions, guiding correct mantra-selection for purification rites."}
Concept: Mantra-pramāṇa and śākhā-bheda: ritual efficacy depends on accurate transmission and correct pāṭha.
Application: When performing pavitra/śuddhi rites, follow one consistent recension and teacher-lineage; do not mix variant pāṭhas within a single prayoga.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-vidhi / Pavitra-vidhana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist consulting palm-leaf manuscripts, comparing śākhā readings, while preparing pavitra (purificatory) items for pūjā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, a Vaikhānasa priest in white dhoti holding palm-leaf manuscripts, sacred fire and pūjā vessels nearby, muted earth pigments, stylized architecture backdrop, emphasis on ritual purity and manuscript tradition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, priest seated before a small altar with lamps and kalasha, palm-leaf manuscript open showing Sanskrit, rich gold leaf highlights on vessels and halo-like aura around the altar, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, detailed instructional scene: manuscript variants marked, priest pointing to lines ‘ādityeti’ and ‘saṃsthiteti’, neat linework, soft colors, didactic layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest in a library pavilion comparing two manuscripts, attendants holding ritual implements, fine borders, delicate calligraphy panels, naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṛcastriṃśatpavitrāḥ → ṛcaḥ triṃśat pavitrāḥ; prasaṃmrājamiti → prasaṃmrājam iti; saṃsthiteti → saṃsthite iti; proktāś ca → proktāḥ ca; parasvetyṛṣisattama → parasva iti ṛṣi-sattama.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Pūjā-vidhi: pavitra-vidhāna/mantra-vidhi context)
FAQs
It specifies the authoritative counts of Vaikhānasa pavitra-ṛks used for ritual purification and notes accepted variant mantra-readings across different recensions.
Beyond prescribing ritual practice, it preserves technical details like mantra enumeration and variant readings (a quasi-text-critical note), showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of practical liturgical knowledge.
Correctly using the prescribed pavitra-mantras is presented as a supreme purifier, supporting ritual purity (śuddhi) and the merit (puṇya) of worship by ensuring mantra-accuracy.