Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 50
अध्याय १ — यजुर्विधानम्
Agni Purana, Chapter 259: Yajur-vidhāna
अपां गर्भमिति हुत्वा देवं वर्षापयेद्ध्रुवम् अपः पिवेति च तथा हुत्वा दधि घृतं मधु
apāṃ garbhamiti hutvā devaṃ varṣāpayeddhruvam apaḥ piveti ca tathā hutvā dadhi ghṛtaṃ madhu
“ਅਪਾਂ ਗਰਭਮ” ਮੰਤਰ ਨਾਲ ਆਹੁਤੀ ਦੇਣ ਨਾਲ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਚਿਤ ਹੀ ਵਰਖਾ ਕਰਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ “ਅਪਃ ਪਿਵੇ” ਮੰਤਰ ਨਾਲ ਆਹੁਤੀ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਦਹੀਂ, ਘਿਉ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਦ ਦੀਆਂ ਆਹੁਤੀਆਂ ਦੇਣੀਆਂ ਚਾਹੀਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (instructional narrator of ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Rain-invoking homa: specific Vedic mantras paired with prescribed oblations (dadhi, ghṛta, madhu) to propitiate the rain-giving deity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Varṣa-pravartana-homa (Apāṃ garbham / Apaḥ pive)","lookup_keywords":["apāṃ garbham","apaḥ pive","varṣa-homa","dadhi-ghṛta-madhu","rain-invoking oblation"],"quick_summary":"Offer āhutis with the mantras “apāṃ garbham” and “apaḥ pive”; accompany with curd, ghee, and honey to stimulate rainfall and water-abundance rites."}
Concept: Mantra-āhuti-saṃyoga: efficacy arises from correct mantra, substance, and intention in yajña.
Application: Use prescribed mantras with appropriate dravya offerings to align ritual action with desired cosmic/seasonal outcome (varṣa).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa and rain-invoking oblations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kuṇḍa with priest offering āhutis while invoking water-seed mantras; bowls of curd, ghee, and honey placed beside; clouds gathering as symbolic response.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a Vedic priest by a square homa-kuṇḍa, stylized flames, kalasha of water, vessels labeled dadhi-ghṛta-madhu, rain clouds forming above, sacred mantra scroll motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central homa scene with ornate arch, gold-leaf highlights on flames and vessels, priest in white with rudrākṣa, shimmering rain-cloud halo above, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework instructional composition: homa-kuṇḍa, ladle, three offering bowls (curd, ghee, honey), mantra text band ‘apāṃ garbham / apaḥ pive’, subtle cloud iconography.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña pavilion, attendants holding vessels of curd-ghee-honey, fine smoke trails, distant landscape with darkening monsoon clouds, calligraphic cartouche with the two mantras."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Megh Malhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्षापयेद्ध्रुवम् → वर्षापयेत् ध्रुवम् (त् + ध् = द्ध् संधि); गर्भमिति → गर्भम् इति; पिवेति → पिब इति (लोट् रूप ‘पिब’ + इति); इत्य् एतत् प्रकारः अन्यत्र।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 259 (Pūjā-vidhi: homa, śānti, rakṣā)
FAQs
It teaches a specific varṣā-karaṇa (rain-invoking) homa sequence: offer oblations while reciting the mantric cues “apāṃ garbham” and “apaḥ pive,” and use ritual substances—curd, ghee, and honey—as offerings.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technologies—here, a specialized rain rite with defined mantra-phrases and prescribed oblation materials—showing its compendium-like coverage of applied dharma and ceremonial methods.
By propitiating the rain-giving divine power through water-centered mantras and sattvic oblations (curd, ghee, honey), the rite aims at communal welfare (timely rains) and is framed as an efficacious, merit-bearing act when performed correctly.