Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 28
अध्याय १ — यजुर्विधानम्
Agni Purana, Chapter 259: Yajur-vidhāna
मरके समनुप्राप्ते रिपुजे च तथा भये रुद्रहोमः परा शान्तिः पायसेन घृतेन च
marake samanuprāpte ripuje ca tathā bhaye rudrahomaḥ parā śāntiḥ pāyasena ghṛtena ca
जब प्राणघातक उपद्रव आ पहुँचे, तथा शत्रुजन्य भय या संकट हो, तब पायस और घृत से किया गया रुद्र-होम परम शांति-प्रद है।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Emergency śānti-kalpa: perform Rudra-homa using pāyasa and ghṛta during epidemics/mortality events, enemy-generated fear, and general danger to restore stability and morale.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rudra-homa as parā-śānti in maraka, ripu-bhaya, and āpad with pāyasa and ghṛta","lookup_keywords":["maraka śānti","Rudra-homa","pāyasa āhuti","ghṛta homa","ripu-bhaya"],"quick_summary":"In times of deadly affliction or enemy fear, Rudra-homa is prescribed as the highest pacificatory rite, specifically employing rice-milk and ghee as offerings."}
Concept: In calamity, dhārmic action includes śānti rites that aim at restoring order (ṛta) and collective steadiness.
Application: Deploy Rudra-homa as a community rite during epidemics/attacks; coordinate with governance measures and charity/relief.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-kalpa (Ritual appeasement and pacificatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tense settlement facing disease or enemy threat; at the center, a Rudra-homa with offerings of pāyasa and ghee poured into a blazing altar, calming the atmosphere as people gather for protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic yet pacified scene—darkened sky of danger, central homa flames, priest offering pāyasa and ghṛta, villagers/guards at edges; stylized Rudra presence as protective force.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: luminous homa with gold flames; bowls of pāyasa and ghṛta highlighted; Rudra’s aura above; anxious figures transformed into calm devotees; ornate gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear depiction of ritual materials—pāyasa vessel, ghṛta pot, ladle, kuṇḍa; background hints of threat (enemy banners/disease ward) but focus on procedure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: fort or town courtyard homa; detailed utensils and attendants; distant suggestion of enemy camp or infirmary; refined smoke and architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रुद्रहोमः = रुद्र + होमः; समनुप्राप्ते is locative agreeing with मरके (locative absolute-like sense).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 259 (Śānti-kalpa around Rudra prayogas)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific pacificatory fire-offering (Rudra-homa) as a practical remedy in death-threatening calamity (maraka), enemy-generated peril, and general fear—using pāyasa and ghee as the principal oblations.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs applied ritual technologies (prayogas): here, a targeted śānti procedure for crisis-management—showing the text’s coverage of protective rites, materials, and contexts of use.
By invoking Rudra through homa, the rite aims to pacify destructive forces and avert calamity; it is framed as a ‘supreme śānti,’ implying purification and mitigation of adverse karmic or hostile influences.