Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 25
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
उपायज्ञो ऽथ चित्तज्ञो विशुद्धो दोषनाशनः गुणार्जनपरो नित्यं सर्वकर्मविशारदः
upāyajño 'tha cittajño viśuddho doṣanāśanaḥ guṇārjanaparo nityaṃ sarvakarmaviśāradaḥ
वह यज्ञ के उपायों और विधियों में निपुण, मनोभाव को जानने वाला, शुद्ध तथा दोषों का नाश करने वाला है। वह सदा गुण-संचय में तत्पर और समस्त कर्मकाण्ड में प्रवीण है।
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi / Mantra-vidya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selection/training criteria for a priest (ṛtvik/ācārya) in yajña and pūjā: competence in procedure, purity, ethical self-cultivation, and fault-removal through correct expiation and careful performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ritual qualifications of the officiant (ṛtvik-lakṣaṇa)","lookup_keywords":["ṛtvik","yajña-upāya","śuddhi","doṣa-nāśana","sarva-karma-viśārada"],"quick_summary":"Defines the ideal ritual specialist as procedurally skilled, intention-aware, pure, and committed to virtue, capable of preventing and correcting ritual faults."}
Concept: Adhikāra (fitness) for ritual arises from inner purity, right intention, and disciplined competence; virtue-acquisition is continuous.
Application: Use as a checklist for appointing priests and as a self-audit for daily sādhana: śauca, doṣa-parihāra, and mastery of karmakāṇḍa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-vidya (Ritual qualifications and priestly virtues)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned priest seated near a yajña-vedi, holding ritual implements, instructing assistants; visual emphasis on purity, calm focus, and orderly ritual space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a serene ṛtvik beside a square yajña-vedi with ladle and kuśa grass, assistants arranged symmetrically, sacred fire glowing, minimal background, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central priest figure with halo-like aureole, gold-leaf highlights on yajña-vedi and utensils, rich reds and greens, stylized flames, devotional yet instructional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, soft shading, priest demonstrating correct mudrā and offering sequence, labeled implements (sruc, kuśa), clean architectural frame suggesting a ritual hall","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual pavilion, priest and scribal assistant noting procedures, delicate textiles, precise depiction of implements and fire altar, subdued elegance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपायज्ञोऽथ = उपायज्ञः + अथ (अः + अ → ओऽ); अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-संधि न्यूनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi sections on ācārya/ṛtvik qualifications and doṣa-prāyaścitta (contextual)
FAQs
It specifies the required competencies of a ritual officiant: mastery of sacrificial procedure (upāya-yajña), accurate understanding of intention (cittajña), and technical proficiency across rites (sarvakarmaviśārada).
By codifying practitioner-qualifications alongside ritual method, it functions like a procedural manual—showing that the Agni Purāṇa preserves not only theology but also applied ritual standards and professional competencies.
Purity, fault-removal, and virtue-acquisition are presented as prerequisites for effective karma (ritual action), implying that correct rites require inner integrity and lead to purification and merit.