Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 6
Saṃskāra-kathana
Account of the Saṃskāras
चातुर्मास्यं पशुबन्धः सौत्रामणिरथापरः सोमसंस्थाः सप्त शृणु अग्निष्टोमः क्रतूत्तमः
cāturmāsyaṃ paśubandhaḥ sautrāmaṇirathāparaḥ somasaṃsthāḥ sapta śṛṇu agniṣṭomaḥ kratūttamaḥ
चातुर्मास्यं पशुबन्धः सौत्रामणिरथापरः। सोमसंस्थाः सप्त शृणु अग्निष्टोमः क्रतूत्तमः॥
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual taxonomy to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"High-level classification of Soma-sacrifices and major śrauta rites, identifying Agniṣṭoma as paradigmatic; useful for ritual education and hierarchy of kratus.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Soma-saṃsthā classification and primacy of Agniṣṭoma","lookup_keywords":["soma-saṃsthā","cāturmāsya","paśubandha","sautrāmaṇī","agniṣṭoma"],"quick_summary":"The verse names key Soma-sacrificial systems and associated rites, emphasizing Agniṣṭoma as the foremost kratu. It provides a hierarchy and entry-point for studying Soma-yajña."}
Concept: Kratu-śreṣṭhatā: ritual systems are graded; Agniṣṭoma stands as the model Soma-sacrifice from which other Soma-saṃsthās are understood.
Application: For ritual curriculum: begin Soma-yajña study with Agniṣṭoma structure, then extend to other saṃsthās; observe seasonal Cāturmāsya and special rites (Sautrāmaṇī) per śrauta rule.
Khanda Section: Yajna-vidhi (Vedic Rituals / Soma-sacrifice classifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand Soma-yajña arena: pressing stones, Soma creeper, multiple priests (hotṛ, adhvaryu, udgātṛ, brahman), animal-offering context for paśubandha, and a highlighted central panel naming Agniṣṭoma as foremost.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expansive yajña-śālā with many officiants, stylized Soma pressing, bright sacred fire; banners reading Cāturmāsya, Paśubandha, Sautrāmaṇī; central emphasis on Agniṣṭoma.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: regal Agniṣṭoma scene with gold accents on fire and vessels; priests in symmetrical arrangement; ornate frame with small icons for the other rites.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: semi-diagrammatic depiction of priest roles and stations, Soma pressing apparatus labeled; clear hierarchy with Agniṣṭoma highlighted at top.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed ritual pavilion with many figures, careful rendering of Soma pressing and offerings; marginal cartouches naming the rites, central cartouche for Agniṣṭoma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सौत्रामणिरथापरः = सौत्रामणिः + अथ + अपरः (visarga sandhi: ः + अ → र्); क्रतूत्तमः = क्रतु + उत्तम (u-u sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: yajña-vidhi passages on Soma-yāga classifications and kratu taxonomy
FAQs
It gives a ritual taxonomy: it names key Soma-related sacrificial systems (saṃsthās) and identifies Agniṣṭoma as the principal/standard Soma sacrifice within that framework.
By cataloging and ranking major Vedic rites (Cāturmāsya, Paśubandha, Sautrāmaṇī, and the Soma-saṃsthā scheme), it functions like a reference index of ritual science (yajña-vidhi) embedded within a Purāṇic compendium.
Correctly knowing the hierarchy and type of sacrifices is presented as a prerequisite for proper performance (vidhi), which traditionally yields purification (śuddhi) and merit (puṇya), with Agniṣṭoma singled out as especially meritorious among Soma rites.