Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
Ayuta–Lakṣa–Koṭi Fire-offerings (अयुतलक्षकोटिहोमाः) — Graha-yajña Vidhi
मेखलायोनिसंयुक्तं कुण्डञ्चत्वार ऋत्विजः स्वयमेको ऽपि वा लक्षे सर्वं दशगुणं हि तत्
mekhalāyonisaṃyuktaṃ kuṇḍañcatvāra ṛtvijaḥ svayameko 'pi vā lakṣe sarvaṃ daśaguṇaṃ hi tat
मेखलायोनिसंयुक्तं कुण्डं कृत्वा चत्वार ऋत्विजः; स्वयमेकः अपि लक्षे यजेत्, सर्वं फलम् दशगुणं भवति।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Specifying kuṇḍa construction features (mekhalā, yoni) and officiant options (four ṛtviks or self-performance) while stating a tenfold multiplier of ritual fruit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kuṇḍa with Mekhalā-Yoni and the Tenfold Fruit Multiplier","lookup_keywords":["kuṇḍa","mekhalā","yoni","ṛtvij","daśaguṇa phala"],"quick_summary":"A properly furnished fire-pit with mekhalā and yoni, served by four priests—or even performed alone—yields a tenfold increase in the overall ritual result."}
Concept: Ritual fruit is amplified by correct apparatus (karaṇa-śuddhi) and sanctioned modes of performance (with ṛtviks or self).
Application: Ensure kuṇḍa conforms to prescribed features; if priests are unavailable, self-performance remains valid per the text, with stated fruit-multiplier.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-vidhi (Vedic fire-ritual procedure and its ritual multipliers)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close view of a fire-pit showing mekhalā banding and yoni outlet; four priests seated at cardinal points, with an alternate vignette of a lone practitioner performing homa; a subtle ‘tenfold’ motif (ten flames or ten rays).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized kuṇḍa with clear mekhalā and yoni, four ṛtviks around it, rhythmic flame patterns, symmetrical composition, earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate kuṇḍa with gold accents on mekhalā band, four priests with ritual ladles, luminous flames, decorative halo-like tenfold radiance motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: semi-diagrammatic depiction highlighting mekhalā and yoni parts, annotations implied by gestures, alternate panel showing ekākī (solo) homa, clean instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed courtyard ritual with four officiants, precise rendering of the kuṇḍa’s structural features, a secondary inset of a solitary ascetic performing the same rite."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुण्डञ्चत्वारः = कुण्डम् चत्वारः (च → ञ् before c); एकोऽपि = एकः अपि।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: kuṇḍa-bheda/kuṇḍa-lakṣaṇa discussions in homa sections; Agni Purana: passages on ṛtvij roles and prayoga variations
FAQs
It specifies homa-technology: the kuṇḍa should be constructed with the prescribed mekhalā and yoni features and ideally performed with four ṛtvij priests; it also states a tenfold amplification of the ritual’s total fruit.
It functions like a ritual manual entry—combining altar-design terminology (mekhalā, yoni), staffing norms (four ṛtviks), and a quantified result (tenfold phala)—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s practical, procedural coverage alongside theology.
By emphasizing correct kuṇḍa-form and proper officiation (or disciplined self-performance), the verse frames ritual precision as directly increasing puṇya/phala, here described as a tenfold rise in the overall merit.