Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 153 — Brahmacarya-āśrama-dharma
The Dharma of the Student Stage
षष्ठे ऽष्टमे वा सीमन्तं पुत्रीयं नामभं शुभं अच्छिन्ननाड्यां कर्तव्यं जातकर्म विचक्षणैः
ṣaṣṭhe 'ṣṭame vā sīmantaṃ putrīyaṃ nāmabhaṃ śubhaṃ acchinnanāḍyāṃ kartavyaṃ jātakarma vicakṣaṇaiḥ
ಆರನೇ ಅಥವಾ ಎಂಟನೇ ತಿಂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸೀಮಂತ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರವನ್ನು ನೆರವೇರಿಸಬೇಕು. ನಂತರ ಸಂತಾನಪ್ರದವಾದ ಶುಭನಾಮವನ್ನು ಇಡಬೇಕು. ನಾಭಿನಾಳ ಕತ್ತರಿಸುವ ಮೊದಲು ಪಂಡಿತರು ಜಾತಕರ್ಮ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (narrating the saṁskāra procedures, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Scheduling and correct performance of prenatal and birth rites (sīmanta, naming intention, and immediate jātakarma) to align family practice with śāstric injunctions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sīmanta timing and immediate Jātakarma before cord-cutting","lookup_keywords":["sīmanta","jātakarma","umbilical cord uncut","sixth month","eighth month"],"quick_summary":"Perform sīmanta in the 6th or 8th month; conduct jātakarma promptly while the umbilical cord is still uncut, under learned guidance, and intend an auspicious progeny-conducive naming."}
Concept: Saṁskāra as a dharmic ordering of life-stages (garbha to janma) through timely rites performed by the competent.
Application: Use calendrical month-counting and qualified officiants to ensure rites are done at the prescribed liminal moments (pregnancy month, immediate birth).
Khanda Section: Saṁskāra-vidhi (Garbha-saṁskāra & Jātakarma/Nāmakaraṇa preliminaries)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household birth-chamber scene: elders and a learned officiant prepare jātakarma immediately after delivery, with the newborn still connected by the uncut cord; women perform protective, auspicious gestures; ritual vessels and lamps nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, stylized figures in a domestic birthing room, learned brāhmaṇa performing jātakarma beside mother and newborn with uncut umbilical cord, oil lamp, ritual pot, auspicious motifs, flat decorative background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rich gold leaf highlights on ritual vessels and ornaments, central mother-and-child with officiant performing jātakarma, symmetrical composition, ornate borders, auspicious symbols (śrīvatsa, lotus).","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: officiant, ritual items (spoon, ghee/honey bowl implied), timing note ‘before cord-cutting’ conveyed through gesture, calm domestic setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior with textiles and attendants, physician-like learned officiant performing jātakarma, precise depiction of household objects, subdued jewel tones, marginal floral designs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ’ṣṭame = aṣṭame; nāmabhaṃ treated as nāma-bham (tatpuruṣa); acchinnanāḍyāṃ = acchinna-nāḍyām; jātakarma = jāta-karma.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Saṁskāra-vidhi sections on garbha-saṁskāra, jātakarma, nāmakaraṇa, aśauca rules
FAQs
It prescribes timing and procedure for key saṁskāras: performing sīmanta in the 6th or 8th month, choosing an auspicious progeny-benefiting name, and conducting jātakarma before the umbilical cord is cut.
Alongside theology and devotion, the Agni Purana codifies practical domestic dharma—pregnancy rites, childbirth sacraments, and naming conventions—showing its coverage of applied ritual life in addition to philosophy and myth.
These saṁskāras are purification and auspiciousness rites intended to sanctify conception, birth, and identity, aligning the child’s entry into life with dharmic order and favorable merit (puṇya).