Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 40
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
अप्रशस्तं प्रशस्तं वा कुविदङ्ग इमं जपेत् द्वाविंशकं जपन् सूक्तमाध्यात्मिकमनुत्तमं
apraśastaṃ praśastaṃ vā kuvidaṅga imaṃ japet dvāviṃśakaṃ japan sūktamādhyātmikamanuttamaṃ
அசுபமாயினும் சுபமாயினும்—வேதாங்கங்களில் தேர்ச்சி இல்லாதவரும் இதை ஜபிக்க வேண்டும். இருபத்திரண்டு மந்திரங்களைக் கொண்ட இந்த ஒப்பற்ற ஆத்யாத்மிக ஸூக்தத்தை ஜபித்தால் வேண்டிய பயன் கிடைக்கும்.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana’s instructions to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra-japa and Adhyatma","practical_application":"Universal-access japa: recite an adhyātmika sūkta (22 verses) regardless of auspicious/inauspicious circumstances, even without mastery of ancillary recitation skills.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Adhyātmika-sūkta (22-verse) japa for all conditions","lookup_keywords":["adhyātmika-sūkta","dvāviṃśaka","japa-vidhi","apraśasta-praśasta","kūvidaṅga"],"quick_summary":"The text authorizes recitation of a 22-verse spiritual hymn in any circumstance; even a person unskilled in recitational auxiliaries may repeat it to obtain the intended fruit."}
Concept: Primacy of sincere japa over technical perfection; adhyātma-stotra as inner purification and orientation to the Self.
Application: Establish a daily or situational recitation routine; do not postpone practice due to lack of ritual expertise—begin with faith and consistency.
Khanda Section: Mantra-japa and Adhyatma-stotra (Ritual Recitation / Spiritual Practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A simple devotee, not formally trained, recites a 22-verse spiritual hymn with focused mind; auspicious and inauspicious symbols appear around, yet the reciter remains steady.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated reciter with japa-mālā, surrounding panels showing ‘praśasta’ (lamp, flowers) and ‘apraśasta’ (storm, ominous birds) dissolving into calm, warm temple palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central devotee with gold halo, a scroll indicating ‘22 verses’, auspicious/inauspicious motifs at corners, heavy gold work emphasizing inner radiance","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: devotee counting 22 beads/marks, small caption-like cartouches for ‘praśasta/apraśasta’, serene face, soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior scene with a reciter and manuscript, attendants quiet, symbolic contrasts of fortune/misfortune outside the window, fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूक्तमाध्यात्मिकमनुत्तमं → सूक्तम् + आध्यात्मिकम् + अनुत्तमम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (adhyātma-stotra context); Agni Purana mantra-japa and stotra sections elsewhere in the Purana
FAQs
It teaches a practical japa-vidhi: the Adhyātmika Sūkta of twenty-two verses may be recited regardless of auspicious/inauspicious conditions, even by a person not trained in recitational auxiliaries.
It exemplifies the text’s wide scope by giving operational, user-level ritual guidance (who may recite, when it may be recited, and what is to be recited), alongside its broader coverage of theology, rites, and spiritual disciplines.
By authorizing recitation in all circumstances and for non-specialists, it frames the hymn as universally purificatory and spiritually elevating, emphasizing inner transformation (ādhyātmika) over external ritual constraints.