Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 154: विवाहः
Vivāha — Marriage
तथा गोमिथुनादानाद्विवाहस्त्वार्ष उच्यते प्रार्थिता दीयते यस्य प्राजापत्यः स धर्मकृत्
tathā gomithunādānādvivāhastvārṣa ucyate prārthitā dīyate yasya prājāpatyaḥ sa dharmakṛt
तथा गोमिथुनादानाद् विवाहस्त्वार्ष उच्यते। प्रार्थिता दीयते यस्य प्राजापत्यः स धर्मकृत्॥
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Differentiates Ārṣa and Prājāpatya marriage forms, including the cattle-gift feature of Ārṣa and the request-based gifting in Prājāpatya, aiding classification of customary marriages and their dharmic valuation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ārṣa and Prājāpatya Vivāha: go-mithuna-dāna and prārthita-kanyādāna","lookup_keywords":["arsha-vivaha","prajapatya-vivaha","go-mithuna-dana","vivaha-bheda","dharma-krt"],"quick_summary":"Ārṣa marriage is marked by giving a pair of cattle; Prājāpatya is where the maiden is given upon request, praised as dharma-conducting."}
Concept: Normative taxonomy of social rites: marriage forms are distinguished by intent and exchange (gift/request), with moral evaluation attached to procedure.
Application: Use as a rule to identify the vivaha type in community practice (especially where gifts/exchanges occur) and align rites with dharmic expectations.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Vivaha-bheda / Marriage classifications)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two juxtaposed wedding vignettes: in Ārṣa, a pair of cattle is ceremonially presented; in Prājāpatya, the groom respectfully requests and the father grants the maiden, with priests witnessing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-panel composition, left: cow-pair gift with attendants; right: request-and-grant gesture before sacred fire, bold flat colors and ritual clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted cattle ornaments and wedding pavilion, priests and family in symmetrical composition, auspicious motifs (lotus, kalasha)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diptych with labels ‘Ārṣa’ and ‘Prājāpatya’, clear depiction of go-mithuna-dāna and prārthanā (request) gesture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pastoral cattle presentation scene transitioning to refined indoor marriage rite, rich textiles and precise facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Sri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gomithunādānādvivāhaḥ → go-mithuna-dānāt + vivāhaḥ; vivāhastvārṣa → vivāhaḥ + tu + ārṣaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vivaha-bheda list continuing beyond these verses; Agni Purana: Dana (gift) discussions in dharma sections (contextual link to go-dana)
FAQs
It defines two dharma-legal categories of marriage—Ārṣa (marked by gifting a pair of cattle) and Prājāpatya (giving the maiden upon formal request)—used for identifying socially sanctioned vivāha forms.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogues practical norms of society and law; here it functions like a Dharmaśāstra digest by classifying marriage types with identifying features and moral valuation.
By endorsing Prājāpatya as dharma-conducive (“sa dharmakṛt”), the verse frames properly conducted marriage as a meritorious act that supports righteous household life and social order.