Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 164: नवग्रहहोमः
Navagraha Fire-Offering
वृहस्पते अतियदर्यस्तथैवाल्पात् परिश्रुतः शन्नो देवीस् तथा काण्डात् केतुं कृन्वन्निमास् तथा
vṛhaspate atiyadaryastathaivālpāt pariśrutaḥ śanno devīs tathā kāṇḍāt ketuṃ kṛnvannimās tathā
ହେ ବୃହସ୍ପତେ! ଯେ ଆର୍ୟ (ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ) ମହାନ୍ କିମ୍ବା ଅଲ୍ପ ଉତ୍ସରୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ସର୍ବତ୍ର ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ, ସେ ଆମ ପାଇଁ ଶୁଭ ହେଉ। ଦେବୀମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆମକୁ ମଙ୍ଗଳ କରୁନ୍ତୁ; ଏବଂ ଆପଦ (କାଣ୍ଡ) ଠାରୁ ରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ଏହି ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ କେତୁ (ଧ୍ୱଜ-ଚିହ୍ନ) କରି ଆମକୁ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ କରୁନ୍ତୁ।
Lord Agni (narrating a śānti/mantra passage within the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective invocation for auspiciousness (śam no) and warding off calamity through Br̥haspati-centered prayer in pūjā/homa contexts.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Bṛhaspati-śānti and Devī-śam invocation (ketu of protection)","lookup_keywords":["Bṛhaspati","śam no devīḥ","ketu","kāṇḍa","śānti-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Invokes Bṛhaspati and the goddesses for well-being, framing the prayer itself as a protective banner (ketu) against misfortune (kāṇḍa)."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (soft repetition of ś/sa sounds) and mantraic refrain-style śānti diction
Concept: Vāk-śakti as apotropaic protection; aligning with auspicious forces (Bṛhaspati, devī-gaṇa) to neutralize adversity.
Application: Use as a preface/closing śānti in ritual sequences, especially when seeking removal of obstacles and restoration of harmony.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Puja-Vidhi (Vedic Hymns and Invocations)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yajamāna and ṛtvij recite to Bṛhaspati and the devī-gaṇa; a luminous banner (ketu) rises above the altar symbolizing protection from calamity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, yajña-śālā with homa-kuṇḍa, Bṛhaspati as golden-hued guru-deva with rosary and kamaṇḍalu, devī-gaṇa as auspicious attendants, glowing ketu-banner above, stylized flames and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Bṛhaspati with ornate crown and jewelry, gold foil halo, small devī figures flanking, yajña altar at bottom with priest offering, raised ketu-banner rendered with gold work, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional ritual setting with priest reciting mantra, labeled elements (homa-kuṇḍa, ācamana vessel, ketu-banner), soft shading and muted gold accents","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual pavilion, Brahmin priest and patron seated, fine textiles, small fire altar, ethereal banner of light (ketu) above, subtle depiction of Bṛhaspati as a radiant sage in the sky"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective-benedictory","suggested_raga":"Shantakalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथैव = तथा + एव; शन्नो = शत् + नः (benedictive particle + genitive pronoun); कृन्वन् → कृण्वन् (orthographic/phonetic variant); इमास् → इमाः (visarga/sandhi normalization).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Mantra-pūjā-vidhi sections on śānti, rakṣā, and nyāsa (contextual); Agni Purana: Homa-vidhi where śam-mantras precede offerings (contextual)
FAQs
It functions as a śānti-invocation: calling upon Bṛhaspati and the Devīs for auspiciousness and protection, framing the prayer itself as a protective ‘ketu’ (banner/sign) against misfortune.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical liturgical material—short protective benedictions and mantra-style invocations—showing its role as a handbook of ritual and applied religious practice.
Recitation cultivates śam (peace/welfare) and is intended to avert inauspicious forces; aligning oneself with divine speech (Bṛhaspati) and the Devīs is treated as merit-generating and purificatory.