Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 164: नवग्रहहोमः
Navagraha Fire-Offering
वृहस्पते अतियदर्यस्तथैवाल्पात् परिश्रुतः शन्नो देवीस् तथा काण्डात् केतुं कृन्वन्निमास् तथा
vṛhaspate atiyadaryastathaivālpāt pariśrutaḥ śanno devīs tathā kāṇḍāt ketuṃ kṛnvannimās tathā
ஓ ப்ருஹஸ்பதே! பெரியதாயினும் சிறியதாயினும் எந்த மூலத்திலிருந்தும் பரவலாகப் புகழ்பெற்ற அந்த ஆர்யன் (உயர்ந்தவன்) எங்களுக்கு நன்மை செய்யட்டும். தேவியரும் எங்களுக்கு மங்களம் அருளட்டும்; மேலும் ஆபத்து (காண்ட) நீங்க இப்பிரார்த்தனைகளை கேது (காவல்-கொடி/சின்னம்) ஆகக் கொண்டு எங்களைப் பாதுகாக்கட்டும்.
Lord Agni (narrating a śānti/mantra passage within the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Protective invocation for auspiciousness (śam no) and warding off calamity through Br̥haspati-centered prayer in pūjā/homa contexts.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Bṛhaspati-śānti and Devī-śam invocation (ketu of protection)","lookup_keywords":["Bṛhaspati","śam no devīḥ","ketu","kāṇḍa","śānti-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Invokes Bṛhaspati and the goddesses for well-being, framing the prayer itself as a protective banner (ketu) against misfortune (kāṇḍa)."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (soft repetition of ś/sa sounds) and mantraic refrain-style śānti diction
Concept: Vāk-śakti as apotropaic protection; aligning with auspicious forces (Bṛhaspati, devī-gaṇa) to neutralize adversity.
Application: Use as a preface/closing śānti in ritual sequences, especially when seeking removal of obstacles and restoration of harmony.
Khanda Section: Mantra-Puja-Vidhi (Vedic Hymns and Invocations)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yajamāna and ṛtvij recite to Bṛhaspati and the devī-gaṇa; a luminous banner (ketu) rises above the altar symbolizing protection from calamity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, yajña-śālā with homa-kuṇḍa, Bṛhaspati as golden-hued guru-deva with rosary and kamaṇḍalu, devī-gaṇa as auspicious attendants, glowing ketu-banner above, stylized flames and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Bṛhaspati with ornate crown and jewelry, gold foil halo, small devī figures flanking, yajña altar at bottom with priest offering, raised ketu-banner rendered with gold work, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional ritual setting with priest reciting mantra, labeled elements (homa-kuṇḍa, ācamana vessel, ketu-banner), soft shading and muted gold accents","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual pavilion, Brahmin priest and patron seated, fine textiles, small fire altar, ethereal banner of light (ketu) above, subtle depiction of Bṛhaspati as a radiant sage in the sky"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective-benedictory","suggested_raga":"Shantakalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथैव = तथा + एव; शन्नो = शत् + नः (benedictive particle + genitive pronoun); कृन्वन् → कृण्वन् (orthographic/phonetic variant); इमास् → इमाः (visarga/sandhi normalization).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Mantra-pūjā-vidhi sections on śānti, rakṣā, and nyāsa (contextual); Agni Purana: Homa-vidhi where śam-mantras precede offerings (contextual)
FAQs
It functions as a śānti-invocation: calling upon Bṛhaspati and the Devīs for auspiciousness and protection, framing the prayer itself as a protective ‘ketu’ (banner/sign) against misfortune.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical liturgical material—short protective benedictions and mantra-style invocations—showing its role as a handbook of ritual and applied religious practice.
Recitation cultivates śam (peace/welfare) and is intended to avert inauspicious forces; aligning oneself with divine speech (Bṛhaspati) and the Devīs is treated as merit-generating and purificatory.