Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 24
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
आपनः शोशुचदिति स्तुत्वा मध्ये दिवाकरं यथा मुञ्चति चेषोकां तथा पापं प्रमुञ्चति
āpanaḥ śośucaditi stutvā madhye divākaraṃ yathā muñcati ceṣokāṃ tathā pāpaṃ pramuñcati
ເມື່ອສັນລະເສີນພຣະເທວະດາດ້ວຍຄໍາ «āpanaḥ śośucad…» ເຊັ່ນດຽວກັບພຣະອາທິດໃນເວລາທ່ຽງປ່ອຍລໍາແສງ ຜູ້ນັ້ນກໍປົດປ່ອຍບາບອອກໄດ້।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purāṇa narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta by mantra-stuti: using a specific ṛk as a purificatory recitation to remove pāpa (sin/impurity) through devotional praise and mental alignment with solar purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āpanaḥ śośucad—Mantra-stuti for pāpa-kṣaya (sin-removal)","lookup_keywords":["āpanaḥ śośucad","pāpa-kṣaya","prāyaścitta","divākara dṛṣṭānta","mantra-stuti"],"quick_summary":"Praise with the ṛk beginning “āpanaḥ śośucad…”. By the analogy of the midday sun releasing rays, the practitioner is said to cast off sin through mantra-praise and purity of intent."}
Alamkara Type: Upama (simile)
Concept: Mantra-stuti and purity of mind function as a means of pāpa-vimocana; the sun is a model of effortless dispelling of darkness/impurity.
Application: Use the mantra as a daily or need-based expiation, cultivating sattva and moral resolve alongside recitation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-japa and Prāyaścitta (Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee recites a Vedic hymn while the midday sun blazes overhead, its rays spreading outward; the devotee’s dark aura of sin dissolves into light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, central blazing Divākara at zenith with concentric golden rays, a seated brāhmaṇa devotee in white dhoti doing japa, stylized clouds and lotus motifs, sin as dark smoke dissipating, rich reds and ochres, temple mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, large gilded sun-disc with embossed gold rays, devotee with japa-mālā and palm-leaf manuscript, ornate arch frame, gold leaf highlights emphasizing purification, minimal background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft washes, instructional feel: devotee facing east at midday, hands in añjali then japa, subtle depiction of light removing dark stains, delicate ornamentation","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard scene at noon, sun high, scholar-devotee reciting from a manuscript, fine ray patterns, symbolic dark veil lifting from the figure, naturalistic shading and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śośucaditi = śośucat + iti; ceṣokāṃ = ca + iṣokām; divākaraṃ is a tatpuruṣa compound (divā+kara).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Mantra-japa & Prāyaścitta cluster)
FAQs
It teaches a prāyaścitta-style application of mantra-stuti: praising through the Vedic waters-formula “āpaḥ śośucat…” as a means to effect pāpa-pramocana (release from sin).
It exemplifies the text’s ritual-technology layer—linking Vedic mantra citation, devotional praise (stuti), and a clearly stated karmic result—alongside the Purāṇa’s many other domains (law, polity, medicine, arts).
The verse frames mantra-praise as a purifier: as the midday sun freely emits rays, the practitioner is said to “let go” of accumulated pāpa through the potency of stuti/japa.