Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Ayuta–Lakṣa–Koṭi Fire-offerings (अयुतलक्षकोटिहोमाः) — Graha-yajña Vidhi
खमश्विनौ च सम्पूज्य यजेद्वीजैश् च वेदजैः अर्कः पलाशः खदिरो ह्य् अपामार्गश् च पिप्पलः
khamaśvinau ca sampūjya yajedvījaiś ca vedajaiḥ arkaḥ palāśaḥ khadiro hy apāmārgaś ca pippalaḥ
க (ஆகாயம்) மற்றும் அச்வின்கள் இருவரையும் முறையாகப் பூஜித்து, வேதச் சடங்குகளில் பயிற்சி பெற்ற த்விஜர்களால் யாகம் செய்ய வேண்டும். சமித்து/திரவியமாக அர்க்கம், பலாசம், கதீரம், அபாமார்க்கம், பிப்பலம் ஆகியவை விதிக்கப்பட்டவை.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Pūjā/homa procedure: worship Kha and the Aśvins, employ qualified dvija priests, and select specific samidh/ritual woods (arka, palāśa, khadira, apāmārga, pippala) for offerings—ensuring rite efficacy and purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa Materials and Eligibility: Worship of Kha & Aśvins; Samidh List (Arka, Palāśa, Khadira, Apāmārga, Pippala)","lookup_keywords":["homa samidh","arka palasha khadira","apamarga pippala","Ashvin puja","dvija vedaja"],"quick_summary":"Perform worship with Veda-trained priests after honoring Kha and the Aśvins; use the specified sacred woods/plants as fuel/offerings to align the rite with orthodox efficacy."}
Concept: Adhikāra (eligibility) and dravya-śuddhi (purity of materials) as foundations of effective ritual action.
Application: Choose competent officiants and correct samidh; treat ritual as a disciplined technology where inputs (people, mantras, materials) determine outcomes.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Worship Procedures and Vedic-Style Offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa scene: dvija priests chanting, offerings placed into a blazing fire altar; bundles of arka, palāśa, khadira, apāmārga, and pippala sticks/leaves arranged nearby; subtle presence of the Aśvins as twin divine physicians and ‘Kha’ as sky-space invoked above.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa altar with tall flames, priests in white, neatly stacked sacred woods labeled by form (palāśa leaves, khadira sticks), twin Aśvins depicted symmetrically with healing vessels, sky-space motif above","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted fire and offering ladles, richly ornamented Aśvins as twin deities, piles of samidh rendered with texture, temple-lamp ambiance, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional still-life of the five ritual woods beside a clearly drawn agni-kuṇḍa, priests performing āhuti, captions/labels aesthetic, soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña pavilion, attendants carrying bundles of different woods, twin Aśvins as celestial visitors in the margin-clouds, fine botanical detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: खमश्विनौ = खम् + अश्विनौ; यजेद्वीजैश् = यजेत् + द्विजैः; ह्य् = हि; अपामार्गश् = अपामार्गः (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Homa-vidhi and dravya-nirdeśa sections; Agni Purana: Aśvin-devatā references in healing/protection contexts
FAQs
It prescribes a ritual sequence—worship of Kha and the Aśvins, performance of yajña by Veda-trained dvija priests—and specifies approved ritual plant/wood materials (arka, palāśa, khadira, apāmārga, pippala) for the rite.
Beyond theology, it catalogs practical liturgical details—qualified officiants and specific botanical substances—showing the Agni Purana’s compendium-style coverage of ritual technology, including the ritual use of identifiable plants/woods.
Following correct worship order, proper priestly qualification, and sanctioned ritual materials is presented as ensuring purity and efficacy of the sacrifice, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and successful attainment of the rite’s intended फल (result).