Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 4
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
गायत्र्या दशसाहस्रो जपो नक्ताशनो द्विज बहुस्नातस्य तत्रैव सर्वकल्मषनाशनः
gāyatryā daśasāhasro japo naktāśano dvija bahusnātasya tatraiva sarvakalmaṣanāśanaḥ
ഹേ ദ്വിജാ! രാത്രിയിൽ മാത്രം ആഹാരം ചെയ്യുന്ന വ്രതം പാലിച്ച്, പലവട്ടം സ്നാനം ചെയ്ത് ഗായത്രിയെ പത്തായിരം പ്രാവശ്യം ജപിച്ചാൽ, ആ നിയമാചരണത്തിലൂടെ തന്നെ സർവ്വ കല്മഷങ്ങൾ (പാപങ്ങൾ) നശിക്കുന്നു।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purāṇa’s instructional chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Gayatri-japa with niyama (night-only meal) and repeated snana as a prayashchitta for purification and restoration of ritual eligibility.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gayatri-dasha-sahasra-japa with nakta-ashana and bahu-snana (sarva-kalmasha-nashana)","lookup_keywords":["Gayatri japa","dasha-sahasra","nakta-ashana","bahu-snana","kalmasha-nashana"],"quick_summary":"Recite Gayatri 10,000 times while observing night-only eating and repeated ritual bathing; the observance itself is taught as a comprehensive purifier of sins/impurities."}
Concept: Mantra-japa combined with vrata and bodily purification functions as prayaścitta and inner cleansing.
Application: Adopt regulated diet (nakta), maintain ritual cleanliness (snana), and complete a fixed-count japa as a structured expiation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Japa-prayoga (Gayatri-japa and expiatory purification rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija performing Gayatri-japa beside a waterbody, with repeated bathing and a simple night-meal vow indicated by a lamp-lit evening setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: serene brahmana in white cloth at a temple tank, hands in japa-mudra, evening sky, ritual bath sequence suggested, minimal palette with traditional ornament borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central seated dvija with japa-mala, stylized temple tank, gold-leaf highlights on lamp and halo-like aura of mantra purity, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional composition showing steps—snana, japa count, night meal—fine linework, soft colors, labeled ritual implements (kamandalu, mala).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: riverside pavilion at dusk, scholar-priest counting japa on mala, attendants preparing simple night food, delicate flora and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दशसाहस्रो → दश + साहस्रः; तत्रैव → तत्र + एव; सर्वकल्मषनाशनः is a tatpuruṣa compound (सर्व-कल्मष-नाशन).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (japa-prayoga, prayaścitta context)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific expiatory discipline: 10,000 recitations of the Gāyatrī mantra combined with the naktāśana vow (eating only at night) and repeated purificatory bathing (bahu-snānā).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical ritual handbook function—cataloging measurable japa counts, associated vows, and purification procedures as part of its wide coverage of dharma, rites, and expiation.
The verse states that this combined practice functions as sarva-kalmaṣa-nāśana—an expiation that removes accumulated moral and ritual impurities, restoring purity and eligibility for sacred duties.