Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 22
Sāma-vidhāna
Procedure of the Sāman Hymns
परकीयानथोद्देश्य प्रधानपुरुषांस् तथा सुस्विन्नान् पिष्टकवरान् क्षुरेणोत् कृत्य भागशः वृक्षाणां यज्ञियानान्तु समिधः प्रथमं हविः आज्यञ्च व्रीहयश् चैव तथा वै गौरसर्षपाः
parakīyānathoddeśya pradhānapuruṣāṃs tathā susvinnān piṣṭakavarān kṣureṇot kṛtya bhāgaśaḥ vṛkṣāṇāṃ yajñiyānāntu samidhaḥ prathamaṃ haviḥ ājyañca vrīhayaś caiva tathā vai gaurasarṣapāḥ
ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ ଆଶ୍ରିତ (ଦୀନ) ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ଏବଂ ପ୍ରଧାନ ଋତ୍ୱିଜମାନଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ଭାଗ ଅଲଗା କରି, ଭଲଭାବେ ସିଝା ପିଷ୍ଟକ-ବରକୁ ଛୁରୀରେ ଭାଗଭାଗ କଟିବା ଉଚିତ। ପରେ ଯଜ୍ଞଯୋଗ୍ୟ ବୃକ୍ଷର ସମିଧ ହେଉଛି ପ୍ରଥମ ହବି; ଏବଂ ଘିଅ, ଧାନଚାଉଳ ଦାଣା, ତଥା ଧଳା ସୋରିଷ ମଧ୍ୟ ହବିଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s typical frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Collect and portion yajña materials correctly, allocate shares for dependents/destitute and principal priests, and prepare offerings (samidh, ghee, rice, white mustard).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Yajña-dravya-saṅgraha: samidh, ājya, vrīhi, gaura-sarṣapa and portioning of piṣṭaka","lookup_keywords":["yajña dravya","samidh havis","ājya ghee","vrīhi rice","gaura sarṣapa white mustard"],"quick_summary":"After setting aside portions for dependents and officiants and cutting steamed sacrificial cakes into shares, begin offerings with samidh, followed by ghee, rice, and white mustard-seeds."}
Concept: Yajña as regulated distribution: correct apportioning (bhāgaśaḥ) and inclusion of others’ dependents reflects dharmic reciprocity alongside ritual precision.
Application: In any rite, ensure ethical allocation (supporting dependents/assistants) and technical correctness in preparation of offerings.
Khanda Section: Agni-vidhi / Yajna-dravya-sangraha (Vedic fire-ritual materials and offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Ritual preparation scene: steamed sacrificial cakes being cut with a knife into portions; separate shares set aside for dependents and chief priests; bundles of yajñiya samidh, a ghee pot, rice grains, and white mustard displayed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, preparatory yajña kitchen scene: priest and assistants portioning piṣṭaka with a small knife, offerings arranged—samidh bundles, brass ghee pot, rice, white mustard—earthy palette, stylized utensils","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, still-life of yajña materials with gold accents: samidh bundle, ornate ghee vessel, rice heap, white mustard bowl; side vignette of cake portioning for priests and dependents, rich decorative frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic instructional composition: labeled portions, knife cutting piṣṭaka, orderly rows of samidh, ājya, vrīhi, gaura-sarṣapa; clean background and fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed preparation in a yajña pavilion: attendants portioning cakes, separate trays for shares, realistic vessels of ghee and grains, botanical detail on samidh sticks"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: parakīyānathoddeśya → para-kīyān atha uddeśya; kṣureṇot kṛtya → kṣureṇa ut-kṛtya; ājyañca → ājyaṃ ca; vrīhayaś caiva → vrīhayaḥ ca eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 260 (Agni-vidhi / yajña-dravya context)
FAQs
It specifies yajña logistics: dividing the steamed flour-cake into portions (including allocations for the needy and chief officiants) and enumerates core homa substances—samidh (kindling), ājya (ghee), vrīhi (rice), and gaura-sarṣapa (white mustard).
By cataloging concrete ritual materials and procedural details (portioning of piṣṭaka and the standard havis set), it functions like a practical manual within the Purana’s broader compendium of rites, dharma, and technical instruction.
Correct selection and sequencing of offerings is presented as ensuring ritual purity and efficacy; additionally, setting aside portions for the destitute aligns the sacrifice with dāna (charitable merit), strengthening the rite’s पुण्य (puṇya).